On February 18, 2022, a ferry fired in the Ionian Sea near Corfu Island, Greece. (Lazos Mantikos / debater.gr via AP)
Athens, Greece — Fire rescue teams in western Greece found six more bodies on a ferry that was severely damaged by a fire on its way to Italy last week, increasing the death toll to eight.
Officials said the body was found on the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia on Thursday and Friday during an extensive search for ships currently moored in Astakos’ West Harbor. Three more suspected truck drivers remain missing.
The fire on February 18 broke out after a ferry with 292 people departed from the port of Igoumenitsa in northwestern Greece and headed for Brindisi, Italy. Most were rescued by a nearby Italian customs vessel and a Greek Coast Guard patrol vessel that arrived later.
Two men trapped under the deck were rescued by helicopter, and the third managed to reach the deck and warn the rescuers after being missing for two days.
The cause of the flame is still under investigation. The Italian operator of the ship said it started with a vehicle hold.
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