A fire broke out on Euroferry Olympia ferry en route from Greece to Italy, with a total of 288 people on board, the Greek coastguard announced.
The Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia was heading to Port Brindisi (Italy) from Port Igoumenitsa (Greece) when the fire broke out Friday morning, February 18, close to the Greek island of Corfu, Ionian Sea.
According to the coastguard, 237 passengers and 51 crew were on board.
All passengers are now safe and on rescue boats, Kostas Katsafados, the Greek secretary of state for the merchant navy, told Greek radio station Skai.
The passengers and crew were taken to Corfu, authorities revealed.
Weather conditions in the area were mild.
No casualties have been reported. Police said 3 tugboats and 3 patrol boats had been sent to help travelers.
Police said Euroferry Olympia's Captain had asked the passengers to leave the boat.
The accident took place at ~4:30 a.m. (2:30 UTC) off Corfu's northern coast, between Greece and Albania, the coast guard said.
The cause of the fire is yet unknown. An investigation has begun.
Note: The 1995-built Euroferry Olympia (27-yo, operated by GRIMALDI LINES) had an engine room fire accident in 2018 (CruiseMinus).