Fire on Greek ferry at Aegean Sea under control, no casualties

A fire that broke out on a Greek ferry with 248 passengers on board at the Aegean Sea was put under control without causing any casualties, the Greek Shipping ministry said on Friday. All passengers were swiftly led to a safe part of the "Mykonos Island" vessel, given lifejackets and are now safe, owners Hellenic Seaways said in an announcement. Greek Coast Guard forces and some four other vessels reached the area, about a nautical mile off Samos islands' coastline at the eastern Aegean, the shipping ministry sources told Xinhua. The crew, aided by an automatic fire extinguishing system, managed to put under control the blaze which started at the funnels. Doctors on board have treated five passengers who faced minor respiratory problems, according to sources. The five passengers have been transferred to a hospital on Samos by speedboat. The incident occurred as the ship was sailing from Mykonos island to Samos and Ikaria. A tug boat is due to lead to to the port shortly, according to local reports.