Tourist Ship Runs Aground In Greece

The Greek coastguard safely evacuated a passenger ship carrying 280 people that had run aground and began taking on water off the Greek island of Poros, near Athens. The ship carrying 163 Japanese, 58 American and 56 Russian tourists ran aground near the rocky islet of Platia, three nautical miles north of the island of Poros. There were no reports of injuries.The GiorgisThree rescue helicopters, a military transport aircraft, three coastguard vessels and nearby fishing boats were involved in the evacuation of the Giorgis. Passengers were taken to Poros where the mayor, Stamatina Mitsopoulou said "everyone is fine and in good spirits despite their ordeal".
Officials said the Giorgis was taking in water and it was still not clear why it had grounded. The vessel is one of several taking tourists on day trips between the port of Pireaus and the nearby islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra. Last April, another cruise ship sank near the port of the Cycladic island of Santorini after running aground. More than 1500 passengers were rescued but a French parent and child are still officially reported missing and feared dead.