Drivers Search for Missing Cruise Passengers

The Sea Diamond cruise ship hit volcanic rock Thursday, all but two passengers and crew were safely removed from the ship. Still missing a father and daughter from France. Jean-Christophe Allain, 45, and his daughter Maud, 16.

Passengers had to climb down rope ladders to vessels below. The three hour rescued involved Greece Military, commercial ships and local fisherman from the island of Santorini. Majority of passengers on board were Americans, although there were some groups from Canada and Spain.

The Sea Diamond run by Louis Cruise Lines is a 469-foot ship built in 1986 and refurbished in 1999. Louis Cruise Lines says that the 21 year old vessel was well maintained. Spokesman for the company says, "The vessel maintained the highest level of safety standards and was equipped with the latest navigation systems."

Fanny Palli Petralia, Tourism Minister said that "Whoever is responsible for this will be held accountable in the strictest way." Petralia said, "Greece is a major tourism destination and incidents like this must not be allowed to occur. ... Authorities handled the rescue very well."

The captain and Three officers were being question about Thursday crash. Officials say that the rocks involved in the accident were clearly marked with lights and were marked on navigational charts.

Accounts from passengers indicate that the crew was in complete chaos and some even left ship before passengers. The rescue which took three hours evacuated 1,193 passengers and 391 crew members. The wife of missing passenger Allian, spoke to Petralia. Petralia had this to say about the conversation,
"The lady said her cabin filled with water when the ship struck rocks and that she narrowly escaped." Petralia said, "She was not sure whether her husband and daughter made it out because things happened so suddenly ... in a few seconds. Her other child was up on deck and was evacuated safely."

Today navy divers were searching around the sunken vessel for the two missing passengers. The ship sank 15 hours after it began to take on water, when they hit a clearly marked volcanic reef.
(www.new.yahoo.com)