Story Created:
Apr 9, 2007 at 11:39 AM CDT
Story Updated:
Apr 9, 2007 at 11:39 AM CDT
ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Investigators are looking into whether crew members on a cruise ship that sank near a Greek island last week delayed evacuating more than 15-hundred people who were on
board. They're questioning boatsmen from the island of Santorini who took part in the rescue.
Rescuers have repeatedly said there were delays in trying to contact the crew of the ship. And many passengers have complained that they were poorly informed by the crew.
The vessel's engineer denies that the rescue was mishandled. He says the captain of the ship correctly followed all necessary procedures.
The captain and five crew members have been charged with negligence, but haven't been taken into custody, pending further investigation.
Meanwhile, local authorities are working to contain a small oil spill from the ship. And coast guard divers are still looking for two missing passengers who were believed to be trapped in a flooded
cabin after the ship struck some rocks.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-04-09-07 1201EDT
