Cyprus-Forum.com

[GreekIslandGirl]

The British press seems rife with spreading misinformation about this ferry. Original sources differ from what is reported in the British press - preferring to clickbait anti-Greek stuff (which a few idiots seem to believe and perpetuate).

Greece seems to be mounting a huge response, but it's not even off the Greek coastline so it must be very difficult for them and the Italian Captain is being given a low profile.

Interestingly, (if this is true, and why) one source says the majority of other nationalities aboard, apart form the obvious locals, are Turks.

[GreekIslandGirl]

Of course, whilst brave sister Malta helps the major Greek response, the BBC prefers to misinform us (still) that this is a:

... "Greek ferry fire" and "Ferries are an important mode of transport between Greece's hundreds of islands" .... How subtle an association and a major opportunity for the anti-Greeks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30615721

(However, sincere thanks to a great [really, truly] British Institution for highlighting this facet of the British press for me. I won't name you because you have been hit by the establishment before - but keep doing the great work which you do - eventually the British public will wake up and demand to be treated with the respect they deserve.)

[Paphitis]

The British press seems rife with spreading misinformation about this ferry. Original sources differ from what is reported in the British press - preferring to clickbait anti-Greek stuff (which a few idiots seem to believe and perpetuate).

Greece seems to be mounting a huge response, but it's not even off the Greek coastline so it must be very difficult for them and the Italian Captain is being given a low profile.

Interestingly, (if this is true, and why) one source says the majority of other nationalities aboard, apart form the obvious locals, are Turks.

I suggest you stay right out of the things you have no understanding of.

Search Areas are delineated internationally, and the ferry is either in the Greek or Albanian Zone.

However, the countries that are obligated to search are:

1) Greece - point of departure and possibly located in the Greek zone,
2) Italy because the ship is Italian Registered,
3) and possibly Albania.

[Paphitis]

Of course, whilst brave sister Malta helps the major Greek response, the BBC prefers to misinform us (still) that this is a:

... "Greek ferry fire" and "Ferries are an important mode of transport between Greece's hundreds of islands" .... How subtle an association and a major opportunity for the anti-Greeks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30615721

(However, sincere thanks to a great [really, truly] British Institution for highlighting this facet of the British press for me. I won't name you because you have been hit by the establishment before - but keep doing the great work which you do - eventually the British public will wake up and demand to be treated with the respect they deserve.)

I don't see any issue.

The ferry had departed Greece - so how else are they going to report it?

If it was a Greek ferry in Australia then it would be reported as an Australian ferry Disaster.

A little too sensitive?

[Paphitis]

Of course, whilst brave sister Malta helps the major Greek response, the BBC prefers to misinform us (still) that this is a:

... "Greek ferry fire" and "Ferries are an important mode of transport between Greece's hundreds of islands" .... How subtle an association and a major opportunity for the anti-Greeks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30615721

(However, sincere thanks to a great [really, truly] British Institution for highlighting this facet of the British press for me. I won't name you because you have been hit by the establishment before - but keep doing the great work which you do - eventually the British public will wake up and demand to be treated with the respect they deserve.)

Btw, there is confirmation that the ferry fire has occured within Greece's SAR Zone.

Greece is obligated to lead the SAR operation. Albania is not required or obligated to offer anything but is involved in SAR operations.

Italy is also sending aircraft and Navy Ships to assist.

[GreekIslandGirl]

As one knowledgeable British friend said to me, unless an Italian ferry, with an Italian Captain HIT and run aground on Italian rocks, then, they are going to blame Greeks just for being "close" by. They don't usually carry out such racist behavior with reporting any other nation's problems, they really have an anti-Greek bias .... for some reason. Maybe they think the Greeks are big enough to take it ...

Fine, let's leave it there; and hope that Greeks, Turks, Italians whatever they happen to be, come together in a moment of crisis and do what's best for people.

- Because, people matter more than Maseratis ...

[Paphitis]

As one knowledgeable British friend said to me, unless an Italian ferry, with an Italian Captain HIT and run aground on Italian rocks, then, they are going to blame Greeks just for being "close" by. They don't usually carry out such racist behavior with reporting any other nation's problems, they really have an anti-Greek bias .... for some reason. Maybe they think the Greeks are big enough to take it ...

Fine, let's leave it there; and hope that Greeks, Turks, Italians whatever they happen to be, come together in a moment of crisis and do what's best for people.

- Because, people matter more than Maseratis ...

No one has blamed Greece so get over it!

It's a Greek Ferry disaster because it occured in Greece!

Here we go with the "whole world is against Greece rubbish"!

Furthermore, the Italian Ship was being operated by a Greek company called ANEK Lines.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANEK_Lines

[GreekIslandGirl]

Briefly, I must praise the Guardian actually, because even though they initially often follow the usual racist-reporting default stance of the British gutter press, they do respond by eventually noticing evidence and make some attempts to modify their writing. They have gone from clickbaiting it as a Greek disaster to now admitting they have some conflicting information.

Now they have it:

Heavy seas between Albania and the heel of Italy were hampering efforts to evacuate a burning Italian ferry, on which hundreds of people were trapped.

The Greek coastguard said 150 people had been rescued from the Italian-registered Norman Atlantic. The ferry sent a distress signal after fire broke out on its lower deck.

The Italian news agency, Ansa, reported the captain as having told the Italian coastguard he could no longer control his vessel, which was drifting eastwards towards the Albanian shoreline north of the port of Vlora. The agency said the rescued passengers, including women and children, had been taken on board a Greek ferry.

But, maybe they do get more interest by mentioning Greeks/Greece more than if they just mention Italy.

Anyway, they are also finally mentioning the (till now) ignored Turkish merchant ship that collided with another one yesterday ...

According to conflicting reports, up to four people were missing following the collision and several were injured. The two ships – one Turkish and the other flying the flag of Belize – collided in thick fog.

Fingers crossed still that as many people are OK as possible.

[Paphitis]

Briefly, I must praise the Guardian actually, because even though they initially often follow the usual racist-reporting default stance of the British gutter press, they do respond by eventually noticing evidence and make some attempts to modify their writing. They have gone from clickbaiting it as a Greek disaster to now admitting they have some conflicting information.

Now they have it:

Heavy seas between Albania and the heel of Italy were hampering efforts to evacuate a burning Italian ferry, on which hundreds of people were trapped.

The Greek coastguard said 150 people had been rescued from the Italian-registered Norman Atlantic. The ferry sent a distress signal after fire broke out on its lower deck.

The Italian news agency, Ansa, reported the captain as having told the Italian coastguard he could no longer control his vessel, which was drifting eastwards towards the Albanian shoreline north of the port of Vlora. The agency said the rescued passengers, including women and children, had been taken on board a Greek ferry.

But, maybe they do get more interest by mentioning Greeks/Greece more than if they just mention Italy.

Anyway, they are also finally mentioning the (till now) ignored Turkish merchant ship that collided with another one yesterday ...

According to conflicting reports, up to four people were missing following the collision and several were injured. The two ships – one Turkish and the other flying the flag of Belize – collided in thick fog.

Fingers crossed still that as many people are OK as possible.

The ferry is located just north west of Corfu and located in the Greek Zone. If it was in Albania, then they would be in charge.

It is closest to Greek territory.

Greece is the SAR lead on this one.

The ship is also leased to ANEK Lines. Check it out!

[Paphitis]

As one knowledgeable British friend said to me, unless an Italian ferry, with an Italian Captain HIT and run aground on Italian rocks, then, they are going to blame Greeks just for being "close" by. They don't usually carry out such racist behavior with reporting any other nation's problems, they really have an anti-Greek bias .... for some reason. Maybe they think the Greeks are big enough to take it ...

Fine, let's leave it there; and hope that Greeks, Turks, Italians whatever they happen to be, come together in a moment of crisis and do what's best for people.

- Because, people matter more than Maseratis ...

Wel there you go.

Greece did a very good job evacuating all those passengers with Helicopters and so did Italy.

Neither country has had bad press over the rescue effort at least. In fact there was a lot of praise given to both countries.

There was only 1 fatality. It could have been a lot worse.

So well done to both Greece and Italy. These rescue operations are difficult especially if there is no Landing Helicopter Dock or Aircraft carrier because of the down time involved in refueling the choppers in Greece or Albania.