Greek ferries rushed to rescue of dozens of people who were forced into the sea by massive forest fires that have raged across the Attica region of Greece for much of this week.
The areas surrounding the port town Rafina was the worst hit on Monday and Tuesday as fires fed by dry vegetation, high heat and gale-force winds raced across the area forcing hundreds of people into the sea when they had no other avenue of escape.
Greek news reports have praised the quick acting crews of several Rafina-based ferries that, along with other craft, went out to rescue people who had been swept out to sea by tides and currents.
Ferries that were involved in the rescue efforts included Sea Jets Maritime’s 11,400-gt Tera Jet (built 1999), Golden Star Ferries’ 4,300-gt Superferry (built 1995) and 4,700-gt Superrunner (built 1998), and Fast Ferries’ 3,200-gt Ekaterini P (built 1990) and 4,700-gt Fast Ferries Andros (built 1989).
The ships plucked at least 56 fire victims out of the Aegean, some of whom were as far as five nautical miles off the coast.
The rescued have told stories of selfless acts by ferry crews, some of whom jumped into the sea to save them.
Smaller fishing boats and patrol craft rescued hundreds more closer to the cost.
Thousands or fire-fighters and civilians continue to battle the flames that have at last count claimed at least 74 lives, destroyed entire towns, and left thousands homeless. The number of missing people has yet to be tabulated.
Despite large parts of Rafina having burned, the port remains operational and normal ferry service has resumed.
