Rescue effort completed in Adriatic ferry fire, 7 dead

ROME, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Hindered by high winds and rough seas, rescue crews evacuated the last of the passengers stranded on a ferry that caught fire off the northwest coast of Greece, the Italian coast guard said Monday. Seven people died.

Officials said some 420 people, including 56 crew members, were rescued from the Norman Atlantic during the operation that went through the night. The only people remaining on board Monday are the ferry commander and four Italian navy officials to assist in the operation, authorities said.

Italian prosecutors opened a criminal probe into the fire to determine if negligence played a part in the fire. Early reports indicate that Greek inspectors found fire safety concerns on the Norman Atlantic. It is unclear if the deficiencies were repaired before the ferry left dock.

Greek inspectors found fire safety 'deficiencies' on the Norman Atlantic ferry - with @tzaf http://t.co/AEe0twqMJE pic.twitter.com/3EY2P8rM2M

— Bruno Waterfield (@BrunoBrussels) December 29, 2014

Crews aboard helicopters and boats battled high winds and rough seas to get closer to the ferry for the rescue efforts. A medical team and flight operator boarded the vessel to help passengers and crew. Early on, some passengers were able to escape the fire on the vessel's lifeboats. When the ferry lost power, the remaining lifeboats could not be moved. Many of the passengers were then precariously airlifted via helicopter one at a time as flames engulfed the vessel.

The Norman Atlantic was crossing the Adriatic Sea between Patros in western Greece to Anacona, Italy. Officials are still trying to determine what sparked the blaze, but said it might have started in the boat's parking area where there were about 200 vehicles.

#BREAKING #NormanAtlantic rescue:190 people saved, 287 still on board the #ferry Rescue operations continue all night pic.twitter.com/71gEAzOyXF

— Marina Militare (@ItalianNavy) December 28, 2014