Daily Archives: December 29, 2014

Αυτά είναι τα καλύτερα γκολ του 2014. Δείτε το βίντεο

Αυτά είναι τα καλύτερα γκολ του 2014. Δείτε το βίντεο

Σε μια ομάδα δύσκολα να χωρέσουν, αλλά σε ένα βίντεο όλοι οι καλοί χωράνε. Απολαύστε τα καλύτερα γκολ του 2014 έτσι όπως τα επέλεξε ένας χρήστης του youtube με τους Κριστιάνο Ρονάλντο, Μέσι, Φαν Πέρσι, Ρόμπεν, Χάμες Ροντρίγκες, Λαμέλα, Τέβες να έχουν τη δική τους ξεχωριστή θέση.

Πηγή: madata.gr

NORMAN ATLANTIC- ΕΠΙΧΕΙΡ.ΔΙΑΣΩΣΗΣ :Η ΛΙΣΤΑ ΜΕ ΤΟΥΣ ΠΡΩΤΟΥΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΕΣ ΔΙΑΣΩΘΕΝΤΕΣ ΤΟΥ NORMAN ATLANTIC-Τ/Σ ΝΕΡΙΤ

Πηγή:mynima-hellas.com

«Συντετριμμένη» η AirAsia για την εξαφάνιση του Airbus

«Συντετριμμένη» η AirAsia για την εξαφάνιση του Airbus

«Συντετριμμένη» η AirAsia για την εξαφάνιση του Airbus

«Συντετριμμένος» για την εξαφάνιση του Airbus που μετέφερε 162 άτομα δήλωσε ο πρόεδρος της μαλαισιανής αεροπορικής εταιρείας AirAsia, Τόνι Φερνάντες.

Το αεροσκάφος εξαφανίστηκε μεταξύ Ινδονησίας και Σιγκαπούρης, λίγη ώρα αφότου ο πιλότος ζήτησε άδεια να ανέβει πιο ψηλά για να αποφύγει την κακοκαιρία. Ωστόσο, το αεροσκάφος δεν εξέπεμψε σήμα κινδύνου.

«Είμαστε συντετριμμένοι από αυτό που συνέβη, είναι απίστευτο» δήλωσε ο Φερνάντες. «Η ανησυχία μας τώρα αφορά τους συγγενείς -δεν υπάρχει τίποτα πιο σημαντικό για εμάς από τις οικογένειες του πληρώματος και τις οικογένειες των επιβατών» πρόσθεσε ο πρόεδρος της εταιρείας χαμηλού κόστους.

«Ελπίζουμε να βρεθεί σύντομα το αεροσκάφος και να βρεθεί η αιτία αυτού που συνέβη» δήλωσε.

Μετά την εξαφάνιση του αεροσκάφους ξεκίνησε επιχείρηση εντοπισμού και διάσωσης, ωστόσο μέχρι να πέσει η νύχτα στην περιοχή τίποτα δεν είχε βρεθεί. Οι έρευνες διακόπηκαν για τη νύχτα και θα συνεχίζονταν από τα ξημερώματα της Δευτέρας.

Το Airbus 320-200 που εκτελούσε την πτήση QZ8501 από το Τζουάντα στην Ιάβα προς το Σάνγκι στη Σιγκαπούρη μετέφερε 155 επιβάτες και επταμελές πλήρωμα.

Έχασε την επαφή με τον πύργο ελέγχου στην Τζακάρτα σήμερα στις 6:17 π.μ.

Η εταιρεία Airbus ανακοίνωσε πως το αεροπλάνο που αγνοείται είχε παραδοθεί στην AirAsia το 2008 και είχε καταγράψει 23.000 ώρες πτήσης στη διάρκεια 13.600 πτήσεων.

Η AirAsia ανακοίνωσε πως το αεροπλάνο είχε υποβληθεί στην τελευταία προγραμματισμένη συντήρησή του στις 16 Νοεμβρίου.

Τη βοήθειά τους στην Ινδονησία προσφέρουν αρκετές χώρες.

Έτοιμες να βοηθήσουν στις έρευνες για τον εντοπισμό του αγνοούμενου αεροσκάφους της ινδονησιακής εταιρείας AirAsia είναι οι ΗΠΑ, ανακοίνωσε το Στέιτ Ντιπάρτμεντ.

«Οι αρχές στην περιοχή ηγούνται των ερευνών εντοπισμού του αγνοούμενου αεροπλάνου. Όπως έχει συμβεί στο παρελθόν, οι ΗΠΑ είναι έτοιμες να βοηθήσουν με όποιο τρόπο χρειαστεί» αναφέρει σε ανακοίνωσή του το Στέιτ Ντιπάρτμεντ.

Η Αυστραλία προσφέρθηκε να συμβάλει στις έρευνες των ινδονησιακών αρχών για τον εντοπισμό του αεροσκάφους, δήλωσε η υπουργός Εξωτερικών της Αυστραλίας Τζούλι Μπίσοπ, η οποία είχε σχετική επικοινωνία με τον Ινδονήσιο συνάδελφό της.

Ο αυστραλός πρωθυπουργός Τόνι Άμποτ επικοινώνησε λίγο αργότερα με τον πρόεδρο της Ινδονησίας και υποσχέθηκε κι αυτός κάθε δυνατή βοήθεια.

Πηγή:in.gr

AirAsia QZ8501: Australia joins search for missing AirAsia flight

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Australia has deployed a RAAF AP-3C Orion aircraft to search for the missing AsiaAir flight.

Indonesia has accepted Australia’s offer to help with the search and rescue mission for missing AsiaAir flight QZ8501, which vanished over the Java Sea on Sunday.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop phoned her Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, shortly after the plane’s disappearance was made public.

No Australians were on board but the government is cross-checking the flight manifest to see if any dual Australian citizens were on board.

On Monday, the Australian Defence Force said it had dispatched an RAAF AP-3C Orion aircraft from Darwin to assist with the Indonesian-led search.

“Our focus at this point must be on finding the plane… at this stage we are just hoping and praying that some passengers and crew can be rescued,” Ms Bishop said.

But she warned that “as time goes on” fears about the fate of the 162 passengers and crew would likely be confirmed.

Defence Force Chief Mark Binskin said the P3 Orion has “a well proven capability” in search and rescues and carries maritime search radar, infra-red technology and electro-optical sensors.

Ms Bishop said Singapore had also provided support for the search effort given it was the country where the plane was originally due to land after its departure from Indonesia.

Speaking to ABC television, Ms Bishop revealed that during her conversation with Ms Marsudi she reflected on how aircraft disasters had brought Australia and Indonesia closer together in 2014.

“I was talking to Foreign Minister Marsudi about Malaysia Airlines MH17 because she was Indonesia’s ambassador to the Netherlands during the MH17 tragedy,” she said.

“Indonesia lost twelve citizens on that flight, so we were discussing how sad it was that so often when we speak its in relation to an emergency or a tragedy involving an airline.”

source: smh.com.au

Man City miss chance to close the gap: 2-2 with Burnley

 A late Ashley Barnes strike gained Burnley a surprise 2-2 draw at Manchester City on Sunday to end the champions’ nine-match winning run and prevent them from closing the gap on Chelsea.

At 2-0 up at half-time through goals from David Silva and Fernandinho City were on course for a club-record 10th consecutive victory in all competitions that would have moved them to within a point of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea, who drew with Southampton earlier in the day. However, after George Boyd had pulled one back, Barnes completed a memorable comeback for Sean Dyche’s side at the Etihad Stadium.

Burnley had offered signs of promise in the opening exchanges but City’s dominance in possession came to fruition when Silva opened the scoring 23 minutes in. The Spaniard’s fifth goal in as many Barclays Premier League matches was soon followed by an impressive second from Fernandinho 10 minutes later as the home side appeared out of sight.

Burnley had a lifeline early in the second half as Boyd converted from close range and the fightback was complete when Barnes fired home from inside the area nine minutes from time. It could prove a vital point for Burnley, while City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who was again without Vincent Kompany following a hamstring injury, was left to rue a missed opportunity to keep the pressure on Chelsea.

Arsenal leapfrogged West Ham United into fifth place with a 2-1 victory at Upton Park on Sunday. West Ham came into the fixture having won six of their last seven league matches on home soil, and threatened to continue that impressive form when Alex Song found the net after five minutes, though the former Arsenal man’s strike was chalked off for offside.

Sam Allardyce’s men continued to look the better team for large spells of the opening period but were undone shortly before the break. Santi Cazorla’s penalty after being felled by Winston Reid in the 41st minute came somewhat against the run of play, before Danny Welbeck doubled the visitors’ lead three minutes later. Cheikhou Kouyate’s headed goal nine minutes after the interval gave the home side hope of salvaging something from the tie but Arsenal held on for maximum points. The result lifts Arsenal to fifth, two points clear of West Ham, who sit sixth.

A Mame Biram Diouf brace helped Stoke City to earn back-to-back BPL wins for the first time this season as they beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0. Brown Ideye, Chris Brunt and Craig Gardner all went close for the visitors in a keenly contested first half, while the in-form Bojan Krkic showed flashes of his ability in attack for Stoke. The hosts appeared considerably more focused at the start of the second half and Diouf broke the deadlock six minutes after the break.

Gareth McAuley nearly drew West Brom level as he hit a post with 65 minutes on the clock and Stoke capitalised on that let-off, securing victory through a fortuitous Diouf goal shortly after, increasing the pressure on the visiting coach Alan Irvine.

Leicester City ended their three-month wait for a Barclays Premier League win as Riyad Mahrez fired them to a 1-0 victory over Hull City. Mahrez collected a pass 20 yards from goal just after the half-hour at the KC Stadium and netted his second league goal of the season past Allan McGregor.

Hull had started well but wasted the few openings they were able to create, and Mahrez punished them in a scrappy first half. Steve Bruce made three attacking changes in the second half to try to get his side back into the match but they were unable to turn possession into goals despite Paul Konchesky’s late red card.

Leicester, who were twice saved by a post, absorbed all Hull could throw at them, with the home side’s Stephen Quinn also given his marching orders for handball in stoppage time. Leicester’s first win since September’s memorable 5-3 victory over Manchester United, a run of 13 matches, and moves them to within three points of safety, with Hull one of three sides firmly in their sights.

Ten-man Aston Villa held on for a goalless draw against Sunderland after Fabian Delph had been sent off at Villa Park. Delph was shown a straight red card by referee Martin Atkinson for a late challenge on Jordi Gomez just four minutes into the second half. It was the third time in the last four BPL matches that Paul Lambert’s side had been reduced to 10 men, but Sunderland were unable to make the most of their numerical advantage.

Gus Poyet’s side had their chances after Delph’s dismissal, with Gomez striking the post late on, but Villa dug deep and showed plenty of character as they held on for a point. Villa’s lack of goals will be a concern for Lambert, as his side have only found the back of the net 11 times in 19 top-flight matches, while Sunderland have won only one of their last nine matches.

Caretaker manager Keith Millen watched his Crystal Palace side deny Queens Park Rangers a fourth consecutive Barclays Premier League triumph at Loftus Road with a goalless draw. A stubborn Palace defence kept Harry Redknapp’s side at bay as the London rivals claimed what could prove to be a valuable point apiece in their respective battles to avoid relegation.

Neither side were able to make an impact over the course of the first half, although the visitors almost took the lead through Jason Puncheon. QPR had the better of proceedings after half-time, with Leroy Fer going close with two audacious strikes, while Palace continued to provide a threat. James McArthur made a terrific goalline clearance from a Steven Caulker header, but both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils. The point lifts QPR above West Brom, while Palace remain in the bottom three.

Newcastle United ended 2014 on a high by coming from behind to earn a 3-2 win over Everton at St James’ Park to end a four-match losing streak. Papiss Cisse, Ayoze Perez and Jack Colback grabbed the goals to ensure Alan Pardew’s men are sitting in the top 10 heading into the new year.

Both teams entered the match desperate to recapture their best form, and Everton took the lead thanks to a well-taken Arouna Kone goal after five minutes. But Newcastle came back and headed into the break level as Cisse found the net. That preceded a dominant second-half showing from Newcastle, with Perez and Colback putting Pardew’s men into a 3-1 lead. Everton substitute Kevin Mirallas set up a thrilling finale with a goal six minutes from time, yet Newcastle hung on to claim three points.

source: premierleague.com

Tottenham and Man Utd play-out a 0-0 draw

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Some fine saves from Hugo Lloris and some wasteful finishing meant Manchester United’s attempts to keep in touch with the leaders of the Barclays Premier League were dented in a goalless draw at Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs were indebted to goalkeeper Lloris in the first half in particular as United had the better of a frenetic match at White Hart Lane. Robin van Persie had chances to beat the Frenchman on at least one occasion as Louis van Gaal’s side extended their unbeaten run to nine matches, but had to settle for a second successive draw away from home. A point for United ensured they will head into 2015 in third place, with a trip to Stoke City to come on New Year’s Day.

Spurs, who are unbeaten in their last five matches against United, had won their previous four matches in all competitions, but failed to do enough to extend that run despite raising their game in the second half.

Andros Townsend made only his second Barclays Premier League start of the season as Mauricio Pochettino opted for four changes to the Spurs side who won at Leicester City. United, who named an unchanged line-up for a league match for the first time in more than two years, took charge after a frantic start and Radamel Falcao could have done better when Juan Mata played him in, but the Colombia striker got the ball stuck under his feet and his tame effort was comfortably saved by Lloris.

Mata’s deflected free-kick struck a post and some great defending from Vlad Chiriches denied van Persie the chance to tuck home the rebound after 21 minutes.

Lloris then got a fingertip to Phil Jones’ close-range header, but failed to divert the ball away from goal and Spurs were relieved to see the assistant referee’s flag up for offside when Jan Vertonghen was unable to prevent the ball from crossing the line with an acrobatic clearance.

United continued to cause Spurs problems and Lloris rescued the hosts when van Persie showed great technique to control Michael Carrick’s ball over the top, but the Netherlands striker took one touch too many and the Frenchman denied him.

The busy Lloris kept out a Wayne Rooney header and Ashley Young’s measured right-foot effort before half-time as United dominated, but were unable to edge in front.

Van Gaal made a substitution at the break, with Rafael Da Silva replacing Antonio Valencia, and van Persie had another great chance to put them in front nine minutes into the second half, but volleyed over the crossbar after Mata had picked him out.

A scrappy period of play ensued before Townsend picked up a loose ball and let fly with a vicious strike from long range that was well gathered by David De Gea.

United had further chances to break the deadlock but Mata blazed over the bar from 10 yards out after 67 minutes when Rafael cut the ball back to the Spain midfielder.

De Gea got down well to smother Federico Fazio’s left-footed shot following some uncertain United defending 18 minutes from time as the opening goal remained elusive. Spurs finished the match the stronger and De Gea palmed away Christian Eriksen’s free-kick then Ryan Mason blazed over the bar after great work from Harry Kane eight minutes from time, but the home side were unable to convert their late pressure into a winner.

Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino: “The second half was good and we were better than them but after 90 minutes it’s a fair result. We showed that we were solid. The most important thing is the feeling from today.

“It’s a good point. We produced a good performance.Our fitness levels are very good. We have a lot of games ahead and the next one [against Chelsea on Thursday] is another tough one.”

Man Utd manager Louis van Gaal: “We lost two points. We had the best performance of Manchester United’s season in the first half, we could have scored four or five goals, but we didn’t reward ourselves. In the second half, it was more of a struggle than football. In the first half we played very well, but when you do not score goals then you cannot win.

“We gave three possibilities or chances away but we could have also scored from three possibilities – Juan Mata, van Persie and Falcao could have scored. The first half was a fantastic half of ours, but then you have to finish the attacks and we were not so effective today.”

“I should have been satisfied if we had won today because then we would have had 38 points out of 19 matches and that is two points a match on average, which is very good.”

source: premierleague.com

Southampton holds Chelsea to a 1-1 draw

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Chelsea will finish 2014 as leaders of the Barclays, despite Jose Mourinho’s side toiling to a 1-1 draw at Southampton.

The west Londoners failed to hit their usual impeccable standards at the St Mary’s Stadium, with Southampton displaying their top-four credentials in a battling display. An upset appeared on the cards when Sadio Mane raced through and deftly lift over Thibaut Courtois for his second goal in as many matches. However, a moment of brilliance from Eden Hazard shortly before the break levelled proceedings, as he curled home his seventh league goal of the campaign.

Chelsea pushed hard for a winner after the break but had to settle for a point, despite an 88th-minute red card for Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin. A draw ensures Chelsea will top the pile going into 2015, while Southampton hit back by avoiding defeat against a top side after recent losses to Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Dusan Tadic, one of four Southampton changes from the 3-1 beating of Crystal Palace on Boxing Day, tested Chelsea early with a shot from distance that went well wide. The Serbia winger played an influential role as the hosts moved ahead in the 16th minute. His expertly dinked through-ball caught John Terry flat-footed and the Chelsea captain was left trailing in Mane’s wake as the Senegal winger sprung the offside trap and kept his cool to lift the ball over Courtois.

Chelsea made just three alterations to the team who beat West Ham on Friday and did not take long to show their talent, dominating the majority of possession, but they spurned chances in the final third. However, the visitors restored parity on the stroke of half-time with a fine finish from Hazard.

Fabregas showed great vision to play a delicate chip into the path of Hazard in the left channel, who cut inside Belgium team-mate Toby Alderweireld and bent a fierce shot into the far corner.

Fabregas was again involved 10 minutes after the break when he went down in the penalty area trying to go past full-back Targett, who was making his first league start in place of Chelsea loanee Ryan Bertrand, and referee Anthony Taylor deemed it a dive and booked the Spaniard.

The visitors continued to press and Fabregas again teed up Hazard on the hour but this time he flashed wide of the right post, while Didier Drogba was introduced to add muscle to Chelsea’s attack.

However, for all the visitors’ pressure a clear-cut opportunity never materialised and even when Schneiderlin received a second yellow card and subsequent red for hacking down Fabregras on the halfway line Chelsea could not find a way through, missing the chance to keep daylight between themselves and Manchester City.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: “One point against Chelsea may be three points against another opponent. I’m proud of the players, the organisation and the spirit in the team. We knew it would be difficult, but the boys were fantastic. We had some difficult moments, but we kept the organisation. We were maybe a bit lucky at times. but if you don’t have luck against these teams you don’t get a good result.

“We played until the last second with the organisation and the spirit was unbelievable. The difference was we didn’t make stupid mistakes like we did against City and United. The second half was more difficult, they had more possession in the second half.”

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: “I can believe Southampton defended with everything they have. [They played] with organisation, spirit and solidarity of players and the effort they fought to get the point.”

source: premierleague.com

«Έντονο το ενδιαφέρον του Ολυμπιακού για τον Ροσίτσκι»

«Έντονο το ενδιαφέρον του Ολυμπιακού για τον Ροσίτσκι»

Το ενδιαφέρον του Ολυμπιακού για την απόκτηση του Τόμας Ροσίτσκι επιβεβαίωσε με δηλώσεις του στον βρετανικό και Τσεχικό Τύπο, ο μάνατζερ του παίκτη, Πάβελ Πάσκα.

Ο εκπρόσωπος του παίκτη έκανε λόγο για έντονο ενδιαφέρον των Ερυθρολεύκων για τον τσέχο μέσο, ενώ τα βρετανικά ΜΜΕ αναφέρουν ότι υπάρχει πρόταση 2,5 εκατ. ευρώ των Πειραιωτών.

«Μπορώ να επιβεβαιώσω ότι οι Έλληνες πραγματικά ενδιαφέρονται. Όμως δεν πρόκειται να γίνει τίποτα πριν το νέο έτος. Θα πρέπει να κριθεί το εάν η κατάσταση του Τόμας με την Άρσεναλ είναι τέτοια για να μπορεί να προχωρήσει κάτι» τόνισε ο Πάσκα στη «Sun».

Από εκεί και πέρα, το γεγονός ότι ο Ροσίτσκι έμεινε εκτός αποστολής του σημερινού (28/12) αγώνα με τη Γουέστ Χαμ, φούντωσαν τα σενάρια, αφού τα ρεπορτάζ ήθελαν τον Τσέχος να ξεκινάει βασικός.

Πηγή:in.gr

Aγγλία:Ισοπαλίες για Τσέλσι, Μαν.Σίτι και Μαν.Γιουνάιτεντ

Ισοπαλίες για Τσέλσι, Μαν.Σίτι και Μαν.Γιουνάιτεντ

Η Σίτι «αυτοκτόνησε» και έχασε την ευκαιρία να πλησιάσει τον έναν βαθμό από την Τσέλσι και την κορυφή

«Αυτοκτονικές τάσεις» παρουσιάζει η Μάντσεστερ Σίτι. Μετά τη «γκέλα» της Τσέλσι στο «Σεντ Μέρις» (1-1), οι πρωταθλητές Αγγλίας δεν εκμεταλλεύτηκαν το «δώρο» της Σαουθάμπτον και παρά το γεγονός ότι προηγήθηκαν με 2-0 της Μπέρνλι στο «Ειτιχαντ», τελικά ισοφαρίστηκαν στο δεύτερο μέρος κι έχασαν την ευκαιρία να «πλησιάσουν» σε απόσταση… αναπνοής τους «μπλε».

Έτσι, το «στραβοπάτημα» της Τσέλσι με τους «Αγίους» (1-1) αποδείχθηκε ανώδυνο. Οι «Άγιοι» προηγήθηκαν στο ξεκίνημα του ματς, αλλά η ομάδα του Μουρίνιο ισοφάρισε στην εκπνοή του ημιχρόνου με το εξαιρετικό γκολ του Αζάρ. Για τους Λονδρέζους ήταν η 4η εκτός έδρας ισοπαλία σε 10 παιχνίδια μακριά από το «Στάμφορντ Μπριτζ».

Χωρίς νικητή και τέρματα έληξε η αναμέτρηση που «άνοιξε την αυλαία» της 19ης αγωνιστικής του αγγλικού πρωταθλήματος, καθώς Τότεναμ και Μάντσεστερ Γιουνάιτεντ αναδείχθηκαν ισόπαλες χωρίς τέρματα (0-0) στο «Γουάιτ Χαρτ Λέιν».

Τέλος, η Νιούκαστλ επικράτησε με 3-2 της Έβερτον, με τον Κέβιν Μιραλάς να σημειώνει το τελευταίο γκολ του αγώνα μειώνοντας για τους Εφοπλιστές.

Το πρόγραμμα της 19ης αγωνιστικής στην Πρέμιερ Λιγκ:

Τότεναμ-Μάντσεστερ Γ. 0-0

Σαουθάμπτον-Τσέλσι 1-1
(17΄ Μανέ – 45΄ Αζάρ)

Άστον Βίλα-Σάντερλαντ 0-0

Χαλ-Λέστερ 0-1
(32΄ Μαχρέζ)

Μάντσεστερ Σίτι-Μπέρνλι 2-2
(23΄ Νταβίντ Σίλβα, 33΄ Φερναντίνιο – 47΄ Μπόιντ, 81΄ Μπερνς)

ΚΠΡ-Κρίσταλ Πάλας 0-0

Στόουκ Σίτι-Γουέστ Μπρομ 2-0
(51΄,67΄ Ντιουφ)

Γουέστ Χαμ-Άρσεναλ 1-2
(54΄ Κουγιατέ – 41΄πεν. Καθόρλα, 44΄ Γουέλμπεκ)

Νιούκαστλ-Εβερτον 3-2
(34΄ Σισέ, 51΄ Αγιόζε, 68΄ Κόλμπακ – 5΄ Κονέ, 84΄ Μιραλάς)

Λίβερπουλ-Σουόνσι 29/12

ΒΑΘΜΟΛΟΓΙΑ (σε 19 αγώνες)

Τσέλσι 46
Μάντσεστερ Σίτι 43
Μάντσεστερ Γ. 36
Σαουθάμπτον 33
Άρσεναλ 33
Γουέστ Χαμ 31
Τότεναμ 31
Σουόνσι 28 -18αγ.
Νιουκάστλ 26
Λίβερπουλ 25 -18αγ.
Στόουκ Σίτι 25
Έβερτον 21
Άστον Βίλα 21
Σάντερλαντ 20
ΚΠΡ 18
Γουέστ Μπρομ 17
Χαλ 16
Κρίσταλ Πάλας 16
Μπέρνλι 16
Λέστερ 13

Πηγή:in.gr

Stricken ferry rescue effort making slow progress but one passenger dies

A rescue effort aimed at helping dozens of passengers, including many Greeks, off a ferry stranded in the Adriatic Sea near Corfu was continuing on Sunday night in treacherous conditions.

Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis said on Sunday evening that one Greek had died amid the rescue attempts. Authorities named him as Yiorgos Doulis, a passenger.

Around 165 people had been helped to safety by 7 p.m. Greek time from the Norman Atlantic, which ran into problems in the early hours of the morning when a fire broke out on board. Many of those rescued were airlifted and four Italian and Greek helicopter crews were due to work through the night to continue transferring passengers to safety.

“We are making superhuman efforts in this extremely difficult operation,» Greek coast guard spokesman Nikos Lagkadianos said. «Operations by air will continue throughout the night.”

More than 300 passengers and crew remained on board at around 7 p.m. Greek, Italian and Albanian coast guard boats, as well as commercial vessels, were helping in the rescue attempt, which was hampered by gale force winds. A tugboat was due to attempt to tow the 26,900-ton to a nearby port.

The Italian-flagged Norman Atlantic had set sail from the Greek port of Patra and was travelling to Ancona in Italy, via Igoumenitsa in northwestern Greece. Authorities said that of the 478 people on board, 268 were Greek.

The roll-on roll-off ferry had been chartered by Greek ferry company ANEK. According to marine traffic data, it was built in 2009 and previously operated in Italy.

A document made public yesterday suggested that safety checks carried out by port authorities in Patra on December 19 found that some of the vessels safety features were malfunctioning or missing. An ANEK spokesman insisted the ferry had all the necessary safety documentation.

source: ekathimerini.com