Norman Atlantic passengers rescued

December 30, 2014 Nicolas Gros Verheyde

the Norman Atlantic being towed (credit: Italian Navy)

(BRUSSELS2) Search operations for passengers who survived the ferry Norman Atlantic - which had caught fire in the Mediterranean - came to an end on Tuesday (December 30). During the rescue operation, the rupture of a cable caused the death of 2 Albanian sailors from the ferry.

The various passengers were transferred from the destroyer Durand of Penne (D560), to another ship of the Italian Navy, the Amphibious Landing Ship San Giorgio (L9892). This one happened to Brindisi at the end of the afternoon, disembarking the last 212 survivors and 5 bodies. In the port, the Italian navy had activated the San Right (L9894) as a coordination and reception center for castaways and their families. the During Penne he remained close to the ferry to ensure the towing operations. A total of seven helicopters, including three AB 212s, three EH 101 Merlins and one SH 90 from the airbases of Grottaglie, Catania and Luni respectively took part in the rescue operations. Albanian relief ships - the Lissus and Butrint - also participated in the rescue operations. On Monday (December 29), Greek C-130s shuttled between Lecce and Bari - where other survivors had been repatriated - and the Elefsis air base, repatriating several dozen passengers.

Confusing balance sheet

The total outcome of the operation is still unclear. The last count of the prosecutor Italian from Bari, Giuseppe Fox, indicated about 499 people on board of the ferry at the time of the incident. " In addition to 478 people on the list passengers (digit dthen referred to 474 people), have been identified three illegal immigrants — two people Afghans and Syrian , here have applied for asylum — and a overbooking of 18 people he said according to Italian media. But other stowaways could be in the trucks on the lower decks. Some of the survivors were unable to reach land immediately, in particular 39 shipwrecked, rescued aboard the merchant ship, flying the Maltese flag, Aby Jeanette. Their transfer to the coast guard vessels could not take place due to bad weather. On Friday (January 2), the prosecutor said he had no news from 98 people.