Three Georgians remain on the burning ferry in Adriatic Sea

Five Georgian citizens are evacuated from a ferry, which caught fire near the Greek island of Corfu early this morning, but three Georgians and more than 200 passengers still remain on the burning ship.

Greek, Italian and Albanian rescuers were trying to save 423 passengers and 55 crew members throughout the whole night, after the Italian-flagged Normand Atlantic burned down and began to list to one side. At least 200 people were reported to be safely aboard rescue boats, leaving hundreds still on the ship.

According to the Georgian Ambassador to Italy Kakha Sikharulidze, three Georgian citizens s remained on the ship.

Sikharulidze said one of the Georgians was the head of a Georgian Monastery in Mtskheta, father Ilia Kartozia. Identities of the other two persons have not been revealed yet.

Currently the fire has been localized and the rescuers continue to evacuate of the passengers. Reportedly, at least one person has died during the accident. Many people, who have been rescued showed burning injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals.