Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-12-29

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] 5 dead, 407 rescued from burning "Norman Atlantic'

[01] 5 dead, 407 rescued from burning "Norman Atlantic'

The Greek coast guard also confirmed reports concerning the discovery of four dead bodies in the sea around the vicinity of the ship. An Italian coast guard vessel is now heading toward the area but there is no information about whether the four bodies are those of listed passengers and crew or undocumented migrants that may have been on board.

A rescue operation to save those on board the ship has been underway since Sunday morning, when it sent out a distress call after a fire broke out.

Meanwhile, the ministry has given a sixth list with the names of Greek citizens that have been rescued and collected by a Greek Navy helicopter.

The ship is now adrift about 1.5 nautical miles south of the Albanian coast. According to a crew member assisting in the passenger evacuation effort, Italian authorities have asked both tugs that are on the scene to remain at a distance of 1.5 nautical miles from the ship and have not yet made their intentions known as to where it will be led after the end of the operation.

Even though ANEK lines, which chartered the ship, has asked that it be taken to the nearest port, Italian authorities insist that it should be taken to an Italian port. Three attempts to tow the "Norman Atlantic" on Sunday night were unsuccessful due to the bad weather conditions.

The Panhellenic Seamen's Federation, in an announcement concerning the fire, noted that it has sent multiple warnings to the shipping ministry concerning the reduced crews on board the ferries on the Greece-Italy line and the reduced levels of safety for both passengers and crew as a result.

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