Pages

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Investigation on Causes of ‘Norman Atlantic’ Tragedy Begins

The investigation process to determine the causes of the Norman Atlantic sea tragedy has begun as all 22 crew members will be testifying to Italian authorities today. The ship’s crew has been transferred to the port of Brindisi by Italian warship San Giorgio. All members of the ship’s crew will testify today in Bari. Aboard the warship were also Greek passengers who survived the accident. As it became known by the Greek Embassy in Italy, the Greek passengers are in good health and are being accommodated in a hotel outside Brindisi. Their departure for Greece was originally set for today at 8:30 a.m. Italian time with an aircraft provided by Aegean Air. However, due to heavy snowfall during the night, the runway was covered with ice and take-off was impossible. The airplane will depart as soon as the runway is cleared from ice. Meanwhile, another 26 Greek passengers along with other survivors are expected to arrive at the port of Taranto by Italian ship “Aby Jeannette” at 2 p.m. today. On the issue of the Norman Atlantic fire, Italian media reports speak mainly of problems in coordinating the evacuation of the ship, especially the first few hours after the fire outbreak. Moreover, a tugboat crew member located in the area, told ANAmpa news agency that Norman Atlantic remains in the same place near the Albanian coast, surrounded by five tugs, four Italian and one Greek, while an Italian coastguard helicopter is constantly boarding specially trained men of the Italian coastguard on the ship. The Norman Atlantic is expected to be taken to Brindisi, Italy.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT greece.greekreporter.com