Euroferry Olympia accidents and incidents

18 February 2022Fire Accident

On February 18, 2022, while navigating in the Ionian Sea/Eastern Mediterranean and close to Corfu Island, the ship reported a fire accident.

Euroferry Olympia was navigating in the Diapontia/Othonoi Islands, en route from Igoumenitsa (Greece) to Brindisi (Italy) and reported the fire at 4:30 AM Greece time (2:30 UTC). The ferry was carrying a total of 292 people (241 passengers plus 51 crew) as well as 153 vehicles (passenger cars and trucks).

To the area, the Hellenic Coast Guard dispatched 2x rescue helicopters and 1x frigate, as well as 3x tugboats and 3x patrol boats to assist the cruiseferry and offload everybody. Most passengers and crew were safely rescued and transported via the ship's lifeboats to Kerkyra (Corfu).

A 42-years-old male crew sustained injuries and was reported having breathing difficulties. A patrol boat transported the man to Corfu Island where he was hospitalized.

On Feb 19th, the Greek coastguard reported a total of 281 rescued and 11 missing. Two truck drivers, trapped for 15+ hours in the cargo deck, were rescued by a helicopter team who descended onto the ship through thick billowing smoke. The rescued were transported to Corfu where 10 were hospitalized (none in serious condition) suffering from breathing difficulties.

The ship's AIS stopped transmitting on Feb 19th, at 1:58 PM Greece time (15:58 UTC).

On Feb 20th was reported the first fatality (a male passenger's body was discovered/58-year-old Greek truck driver), with 10 people still missing (all truck drivers - 7 Bulgarian, 2 Greek, 1 Turkish).

On Feb 27th, on the ship were discovered 6 bodies, raising the death toll to 8. A 3rd truck driver stranded onboard managed to reach the open deck and was rescued after being missing for two days.

The ship was eventually towed to Port Astakos (Aetolia-Acarnania, Western Greece Region). On March 10th fire brigades were still fighting the onboard fires and 3 people remained missing.

The Greek company Megatugs Salvage & Towage was contracted to tow the ship to Port Astakos, to remove ~600 m3 of water (to prevent capsizing), ~700 tons of diesel fuel and to lift off all vehicles. The Hellenic Fire Service's teams continued to pump water to reduce temperatures inside.

Initial reports stated that the fire had started in a cargo deck with parked vehicles.

14 January 2018Fire Accident

In the evening on January 14, 2018, while berthed in Port Igoumenitsa (Thesprotia Greece) and preparing for departure, the cruiseferry reported an engine room fire accident that resulted in damages to the boiler. As result, the main engines immediately shut down.

The ship remained at the dock until the repairs were finished. The planned crossing to Ancona (Italy) was canceled and the total 111 passengers who boarded Euroferry Olympia were transferred to another vessel.

No injuries were reported.