One missing from Euroferry Olympia fire found alive

Great news came today: one of the 12 missing in the Euroferry Olympia fire was found alive in the stern. The hope for salvation and the rest was strengthened.

From early Friday morning, the Euroferry Olympia lit near Corfu. It carried 290 people (239 passengers and 51 crew), 25 private cars and 153 trucks. Active search in progress 12 (now 11) missing truck drivers – three Greeks, seven Bulgarians, one Turk.

The news about the discovery of one driver alive was confirmed by the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Yiannis Plakiotakis. A coast guard spokesman specified that the man was a Belarusian who was driving a vehicle with Lithuanian license plates. Therefore, it was previously erroneously reported that a man of Lithuanian origin, reports news247.gr.

The man was found on the left side of the stern, he even went down the stairs on his own to go to the rescuers. After an operation to free him, the shocked man was taken ashore for medical treatment. He is expected to provide information on other missing persons. His first word after being saved, eyewitnesses say, was: “I am alive.” The man reportedly did not meet other survivors at the scene.

Citizens Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos notes: “A thousand congratulations to these young people from EMAK and to those who are doing this important rescue work.” He expressed the hope that other missing people would be found. The work of special rescuers remains difficult – a burning ship has extremely high temperatures exceeding 500 ° C.

The firefighting operation is expected to last several days. After the temperature of the hot metals drops, the oil will be pumped out to prevent leakage and pollution of the marine environment. It is estimated that at the time of the fire, there were about 700 tons of fuel in the tanks of the vessel, writes newsbeast.gr.

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