Passengers trapped after ferry fire off Corfu

A ferry carrying about 470 people caught fire off the Greek island of Corfu, trapping passengers on the top decks as gale-force winds and choppy seas hampered the evacuation.

Greek and Italian rescue helicopters and vessels struggled to reach the stricken ferry, battered by 55 mph winds that sent it up toward the strait between Italy and Albania. Nearby, merchant ships lined up to form a barrier to protect the ferry and facilitate rescue, said Italian Navy Captain Riccardo Rizzotto.