The captain of a ferry that ran aground with 109 passengers near the island of Evia has been ordered held in custody on charges of causing a shipwreck through negligence, authorities have said.
During his statement to an investigating magistrate, the captain reportedly claimed he was unable to avoid the reef because the ferry’s rudders had jammed, making the vessel impossible to maneuver.
He will remain in custody and is scheduled for further questioning on Aug. 8.
Meanwhile, a large-scale salvage operation is underway to refloat the grounded ferry. Tugboats are on site attempting to tilt the vessel, while divers are working underwater to assess the situation and help shift vehicles inside the ferry to raise its bow.
The operation is being supervised by the Coast Guard to prevent environmental damage. All 109 passengers were safely evacuated from the ferry after it ran aground on Monday evening.