Corfu Ferry Fire: A Night of Survival, Loss, and Hope
On a dark, sleepless Friday night, a ferry bound from Igoumenitsa, Greece to Brindisi, Italy erupted into flames just a few miles off Corfu. Passengers were left in disbelief—imagine watching a ship turn to ash while you’re stuck inside.
What Went Wrong?
The blaze broke out early on Friday and, even after 24 hours, rescuers were still combing the wreckage for 12 missing people. Those missing were spread across the vessel and some were believed to be trapped amid the chaos.
The Human Cost
Danilo Carlucci, one of the rescued, recounted, “We saw death in front of us.” Families with kids—babies and school‑aged—were moved to a hotel on Corfu to recover. They’re still shaking off the shock, but they’re grateful to be alive.
Most of the passengers were truck owners or drivers. They zigzagged between Greece and Italy—or even further across Europe—moving goods like plastic cups or carpets. For many of them, the ferry was a weekly lifeline.
One Truck Driver’s Perspective
Truck owner Massimo Averna had just bought a 200,000‑euro truck to ferry thermo pellets from Athens to Italy. He was sleeping when the crew shook his cabin at 4 am (0200 GMT). He grabbed his kit, rushed to the bridge, and stumbled into a scene where crew were scrambling with fire hoses.
“We got dressed and immediately went over the bridge,” Averna said. “At the deck we saw crew members fighting the fire.”
Other Voices of War
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David Waller, 58, from the UK, left 99% of his stuff behind as he headed toward the lifeboats in a pitch‑black mess.
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Valentino Turlakov, 16, described it as “a truly scary night that I’ll never forget.”
Where Are They Now?
With 280 rescued passengers now safe, the focus shifts to the missing—a mix of Bulgarians, Greeks, Turks, and Lithuanians. The firefighters are working hard to tame the last flickers of flame, hoping all those who are still out there can be spotted and saved.
Despite the grim backdrop, many survivors cling to the hope that rescue teams will locate the missing and bring everyone back to safety. The night on the ferry will loom large in their memories for years.
