Statement from IMO Secretary-General on Euroferry Olympia incident

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim expresses concern regarding the incident involving the fire onboard the ro-ro Euroferry Olympia.

He said, “I express my deep concern regarding the incident involving the fire onboard the ro-ro Euroferry Olympia, on 18 February, near the Island of Corfu in the Ionian Sea, while en route from Igoumenitsa, Greece, to Brindisi, Italy.

I wholeheartedly appreciate the efforts of the search and rescue authorities of Greece, as well as nearby merchant ships, for the rescue of more than 275 people and the ongoing work to locate a number of missing people.

I am saddened to learn of a confirmed fatality. I convey my condolences to all that have been impacted by the loss.

We are closely monitoring the situation as it evolves.

I look forward to receiving the investigation report into this incident in due course.”

IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) is engaged in ongoing work to minimize the incidence and consequences of fires on ro-ro passenger ships.