FED: 15 Australians rescued off listing Greek cruise ship

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2007
FED: 15 Australians rescued off listing Greek cruise ship

DFAT says there were 15 Australians on board a Greek cruise ship which sank early this
morning after running aground near the Aegean Sea island of Santorini late yesterday.

The Greek-registered Sea Diamond struck rocks in a sea-filled volcanic crater .. and
started listing after its hull was holed.

A three-hour rescue operation evacuated 16 hundred passengers and crew and took them to shore.

Local fishermen joined coast guards .. nearby ferries and the Greek military .. helping
hundreds of passengers who climbed down rope ladders from the back of the listing vessel.

All the Australians who were rescued from the vessel have continued their cruise on
another ship operated by the same company.

AAP RTV kd/bart

KEYWORD: GREECE SHIP DFAT (SYDNEY)

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