A photo grab taken from a video made available by the Marina Militare Italiana on Dec 28, 2014, shows the burning ferry “Norman Atlantic” (L) adrift off Albania. – AFP photo
MILAN: Two people were killed and four others missing after two merchant ships collided in Italian northern port of Ravenna on Sunday, Xinhua news agency reported.
Ravenna mayor Fabrizio Matteucci told Rai State television that two victims have been identified and five people are hospitalised.
All people involved in the incident were Turkish nationals aged between 25 and 55.
Local media said a Turkish-flagged vessel sank after colliding with a Belizen-flagged ship due to low visibility.
ANSA news agency said one of the vessels was carrying fertilisers and the other one was unloaded.
Matteucci said rescue efforts were “gigantic amidst dramatic and perilous sea conditions.”
Vessels, helicopters and firefighter teams were taking part in search and rescue operations. –BERNAMA