Rescue operations continue for hundreds of passengers stranded on a burning ferry off the coast of Greece.
Officials say more than 200 passengers have now been saved,... but there are still more than 250 people aboard the ferry, anxiously waiting to be rescued.
For this report, here′s Shin Se-min.
Italian and Greek military and coast guard officials are struggling to get hundreds of passengers off the burning Italian-flagged "Norman Atlantic" ferry, that sits stranded and billowing smoke off the coast of Greece.
Battling high winds and choppy waves,... coast guard officials have a daunting task on their hands and it′s becoming a race against time given the fire and the inclement weather conditions.
At least one person has been confirmed dead and two of the rescued suffered injuries.
Passengers have been pulled from the smoldering vessel though.
The Italian Navy says little over 2-hundred of the some 480 people on the ferry had been airlifted to safety as of Sunday night, local time.
However, people left on the ship look likely to face a night of uncertainty and fear.
The blaze is believed to have broken out early Sunday morning in the lower deck garage of the vessel.
Describing it as one of the most complicated rescue operations ever undertaken, the Greek shipping minister said bad weather conditions and strong winds have hampered attempts to get everyone off the ferry.
Some 10 merchant ships in the area have been assisting rescue efforts,... with some transporting dozens of passengers away from the burning vessel.
Local authorities say rescued passengers are being treated for dehydration and hypothermia.
The condition of the ferry prior to this fire is also being called into question.
Reports say the last inspection of the ferry found six "deficiencies" including a "malfunctioning" fire door as well as missing emergency lights and defective water-tight doors.
Despite the safety issue,... the European Maritime Safety Agency says none of them were severe enough to keep the ship in port.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News.

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