At least 12 truck drivers remained missing from an Italian-flagged ferry ablaze for a second day off Corfu on Saturday, as criticism mounted over conditions onboard.
The blaze on the Euroferry Olympia prevented rescuers from boarding, but tugboats managed to tow the vessel closer to the island, ERT television said.
The ferry on Saturday afternoon was just some 6 nautical miles (around 11 km) north of Corfu, ERT said, after anxious relatives started arriving in the morning.
A thick cloud of black smoke billowed into the sky after wind rekindled the fire, with Greek state agency ANA reporting the heat onboard had reached 500 degrees Celsius.
The coastguard has said those missing were all lorry drivers -- seven from Bulgaria, three from Greece, one from Turkey and one from Lithuania.
On Friday, 280 passengers were evacuated to Corfu after a blaze broke out the previous night as the Olympia was en route from Greece to Italy.
Rescuers who boarded the burning vessel halted work Friday evening because of the intense heat, dense smoke and darkness, ANA said.
One of the rescuers was taken to hospital with respiratory problems but was released on Saturday, the fire brigade told AFP.
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