HellasFrappe will be updating the story as it develops, check for LIVE UPDATES
UPDATE Local Time 16.30 - The cargo ship Blue Sky M continues to sail wayward off of the coast of Corfu. According to the military news site Onalert.gr the Hellenic Navy's Navarino Frigate sent a helicopter to fly over the ship but apparently the team could not trace any signs of human life. The Greek warship is near the cargo ship and according to the same report, a team of frogman will climb on board the ship to see what is going on. Mr. George Argyros, the President of the tiny island Othoni (off of Corfu), informed the newsit news service that the area is suffering from northwesterly winds of more than 8 Beaufort. Meanwhile, the Greek media insists that the Moldovan-flagged cargo ship is carrying hundreds of illegal immigrants. Some reports in the press are claiming that these people number no more than 400 and other news services note that they total 700. The conflicting news reports are expected at this stage because the story is still developing and also because there hasn't been an official announcement from Greek officials (other than the first briefing that was given at 14:00). We will only know the correct amount of illegal immigrants once the Greek government makes a formal announcement. The only thing that is certain at this point is that a distress call was made from the ship at 13:12. The man who contacted authorities said that he was alarmed from the armed men who were on board the ship, and this forced officials to believe that the ship was transporting illegal immigrants.
UPDATE Local Time 15:15 - The Hellenic navy is investigating the claim that there are suspected armed people on board the "Blue Sky M" cargo ship which sent a distress signal a little after 13:00. The ship was sailing in adverse weather conditions towards Croatia, but apparently changed its course for Italy. Presently it is near the tiny island of Othonoi, northwest of Corfu near the area where the Norman Atlantic was a few days ago. Authorities claim that the distress call had come from one of the passengers on board the ship. In other news, it was just announced that two Albanian seamen died on a tugboat while towing the fire-stricken Norman Atlantic ferry on Tuesday afternoon. The men lost their lives after being hit by a connecting cable between the vessels. For more on that story and Live Updates please click HERE.
UPDATED Local time 14:25 - The ship "Blue Sky M" was apparently sailing off the island of Corfu towards Croatia. The vessel is carrying hundreds of illegal immigrants, Greek state television reported. The announcement threatens further tragedy for the region, which is still in complete shock following the Norman Atlantic ferry disaster on Sunday. The following news video was released. (BELOW)
UPDATE 14:10 Local Time - Reuters just confirmed that there are suspected armed people on board, but a report on the Greek military new site defencenet claims that the gunmen are probably traffickers-smugglers.
UPDATE 14:00 Local time - According to Skai TV, the Moldovan flagged ship "Blue Sky M" is transporting at least 700 passengers on board (unconfirmed reports say that the majority are illegal immigrants). The Greek Frigate Navarino is in the area, and according to Newsit the Hellenic Navy has also sent two Puma helicopters and other forces to assist. The reports that claim that there are armed men aboard has yet to be confirmed by Greek authorities.
ORIGINAL STORY - A ship west of Corfu carrying hundreds of passengers (some reports claim at least 700) issued a distress signal on Tuesday afternoon according to the Greek shipping ministry. The state news channel NERIT claim that authorities are on alert and have now sent rescue teams to the area. The Italian coastguard notified Greek authorities of the incident and a Sikorsky helicopter of the Greek Navy was dispatched as quickly as possible. Also, the Frigate Navarino which was already in the area to assist in the rescue operation of the Norman Atlantic, will remain to assist Greek forces. Check back for updates.
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