ISTANBUL, April 20 — More than 180 people were rescued early today from a ferry which ran aground off a Turkish island in a storm, after an overnight ordeal lasting 14 hours, state media and officials said.
The passenger ferry was travelling to the island of Gokceada near the mouth of the Dardanelles Strait in the Aegean Sea when it ran aground yesterday afternoon because of strong winds.
The ferry sustained some damage but there were no injuries to the 188 passengers on board, including 31 children, all of whom were evacuated this morning after being stranded for 14 hours, Anatolia news agency reported, quoting local officials.
Private Dogan news agency showed footage of passengers waiting with their life jackets on inside the ferry, with some screaming in panic in fear that they would drown. There were also 39 vehicles on board.
Maritime authorities decided to evacuate the passengers and crew after efforts to free the ship by means of tugs proved unsuccessful, Anatolia said.
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the accident. — AFP
