At 6:45 PM on Tuesday (5/8), the ferry “Panagia Paravouniotissa,” operating the Nea Styra – Agia Marina route, ran aground on dry land. The evacuation of 105 passengers and nine crew members is currently underway, being carried out by four private boats. Passenger testimonies describe inadequate information and panic.
A woman who was aboard the ferry denied to SKAI that a coast guard vessel approached. “We didn’t know where the life jackets were, we found them ourselves under the seats, no announcement was made. When the time came for evacuation, the captain said over the loudspeakers ‘go down and get into the boats,'” reported a ship passenger.
“There was no one to inform us, to tell us what was happening,” stated another female passenger. “My sister and I were in a state of panic.”
Coast guard announcement regarding the ferry grounding
“GROUNDING OF E/Γ-Δ/P PANAGIA PARAVOUNIOTISSA AT VRAKONISIDA GLAROS IN THE SEA AREA OF NEA STYRA, WITH 105 PASSENGERS AND 9 CREW MEMBERS. 1 PATROL BOAT, 2 COAST GUARD VESSELS, PRIVATE BOATS AND 1 E/Γ-Δ/P SHIP ARE PROCEEDING TO THE LOCATION. THE PASSENGER TRANSFER PROCEDURE TO PRIVATE BOATS HAS BEGUN AND THEY ARE BEING SAFELY TRANSPORTED TO NEA STYRA PORT. THE SHIP WAS OPERATING THE AGIA MARINA-NEA STYRA ROUTE. WEATHER CONDITIONS 4-5 BEAUFORT.”
