Greek Ferry Smolders: Search for Bodies Delayed

For a second day, fierce heat from a slow-burning blaze aboard the Norman Atlantic ferry kept investigators from searching for more bodies.

Smoke billows from the Norman Atlantic ferry after it was towed into the port of Brindisi, southern Italy on Jan. 3.CIRO DE LUCA / Reuters
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Smoke billows from the Italian-flagged Norman Atlantic ferry after it was towed into the port of Brindisi, southern Italy on Saturday. For a second day, fierce heat from a slow-burning blaze kept firefighters and other investigators from searching the hold and vehicle decks for more bodies after a pre-dawn blaze killed at least 11 people on Dec. 28 on a voyage between Greece and Italy.

The ferry was towed into the Italian port of Brindisi on Friday morning. Port Capt. Mario Valente said Saturday that temperatures were "very high" inside the deck. Smoke still poured from the wreck.

A firefighter sprays water on the Norman Atlantic ferry after it was towed into the port of Brindisi.Antonio Calanni / AP

In early evening, Bari Prosecutor Ettore Cardinali told journalists that no bodies were found during a search of some of the passenger cabins and some deck areas. "There is still the danger of fire," Cardinali said. "Therefore, we still enter very carefully, little by little. It is still an initial search."

—Associated Press