According to the Italian broadcaster RAI four more were found dead in the ship’s garage. RAI received this information from a Turkish driver who claims he saw the four bodies. The bodies of the four unfortunate people were spotted near the burning ship by a helicopter and collected by rescue boats. Meanwhile, the endless nightmares of the hundreds of Norman Atlantic passengers continues, but the list of survivors has significantly grown, reaching a total of 290 people.
Today, rescue helicopters arrived near the ship in order to resume their mission, while an Italian Navy ship approached the burning vessel around 3 a.m. in order to assist in an evacuation mission.
Meanwhile, the transportation of passengers from Norman Atlantic to Italy is being carried through by air, after the ship caught on fire, on the morning of December 28, due to unspecified causes, while sailing in the Strait of Otranto.
A total of 478 passengers and crew members were on board, and so far Italian authorities have managed to save 290 people. However, their efforts were met with strong winds and acute weather conditions.
Furthermore, Italian authorities attempted to tow the ship three times, but to no avail. The fire that broke out in the ship is under full control while Italian authorities have allegedly brought health personnel on board to provide assistance to passengers.
Out of a total of 478 people who were on board, 268 are Greeks (234 passengers and 34 crew members). Around 6 p.m., on December 28, it was announced that a Greek man, Giorgos Doulis, died while trying to escape.
Furthermore, due to acute weather conditions the efforts to tow Norman Atlantic to a port in Italy were stopped and 49 people (27 Greeks) who are still on board are waiting to be rescued.
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