The Greek justice ministry launched a criminal investigation yesterday into the sinking of a passenger ferry off the Aegean island of Paros in which more than 60 people died.
The Express Samina, owned by the Greek ferry operator Minoan Flying Dolphins (MFD), ran aground on a rocky islet as it was approaching Paros harbour on Tuesday night. Buffeted by gale-force winds, the 34-year-old vessel sank within 45 minutes.
Dozens of fishing boats led the rescue effort, picking up more than 400 survivors during the night. Helicopters from the British aircraft carrier HMS Invincible, which was on manoeuvres in the south Aegean, also took part in the rescue operation through the night.
The Greeck merchant marine ministry said more than 30 people were still missing yesterday. The ferry was carrying 510 passengers and crew, including Russian, British and Scandinavian tourists, on a cross-Aegean route to the island of Patmos.
Capt Vassilis Yannakis, the ship's captain, and four officers were arrested on manslaughter charges.
It was not immediately clear why the Express Samina hit an outcrop of rocks marked by a navigation light. One crew member said several officers were watching a soccer match on television when the ship ran aground.
But one sailor told the Greek news agency ANA that he was at the helm with the captain during gale force winds and reduced visibility. "Suddenly, we saw the lighthouse 20 to 30 meters in front of us. Nothing could have stopped the collision, I couldn't do anything," Mr Panayotis Gastglis said.
The Prime Minister, Mr Costas Simitis, gave assurances that the disaster would be fully investigated.
MFD, a subsidiary of Minoan Lines of Crete, the biggest European ferry operator, said the crew lowered lifeboats as the ship listed before sinking, and threw hundreds of life-jackets into the sea.
But survivors said they were given no help or instructions. "The crew didn't make any announcements, nobody helped get people into life-jackets," Mr Nikos Skiades told the Greek television channel, Mega. "The lights failed and we were on our own."
The Express Samina was due to be retired next year after reaching the 35-year age limit for Greek ferries.
Earlier this month Mr Anastasios Sorokos, the second engineer, described the ship as "dangerous and unseaworthy" in a report sent to MFD and the merchant marine ministry. However, MFD said the ship was cleared for sailing last week after an inspection by ministry officials.
Commander Henry Parker, on board the HMS Invincible, told the BBC: "It was pitch black with water washing over the rocks.
"The ferry hit the rocks at about 18 knots (32kph). There was a gash in the side of the ferry." The rocky islet is situated about three nautical miles from the entry to Paros port.
The light signal is more than 20 meters above sea level, and has a visibility of seven nautical miles, the Greek government spokesperson, Mr Dimitris Reppas, said.