Smoke slows down probe of ferry disaster, more bodies may be found

(ANSA) - Brindisi, January 5 - Continued smoke and heat in parts of the fire-stricken ferry Norman Atlantic constrained investigators Monday as they worked to understand the cause of the disaster that killed at least 11 people.
    Prosecutors have suggested more bodies may eventually be found inside the multi-deck car ferry that caught fire more than one week ago while heading from Greece to Italy.
    That triggered a lengthy rescue effort as rough seas and bad weather meant many of the more than 470 people on the ferry had to be rescued by helicopters over two days. Controversy continues over just how many people were on board, as it is suspected many stowaways may have hidden in the car-park area where the fire broke out.
    The still-smouldering ferry wreck was towed to port in Brindisi where investigations so far have led to allegations of causing a ship disaster and multiple manslaughter against several crew members and the captain as well as owners of the Norman Atlantic. Argilio Giacomazzi, ferry captain, has said from his home in La Spezia in the Italian coastal region of Liguria, that he is ready to help investigators.
    "I have a clear conscience. I am deeply saddened by the people that I could not save but I am also aware of having done all that I humanly could and I'm ready to answer any questions, as I have been from the start".
    Friday, investigators recovered twin black boxes of the stricken ferry, a key element to ascertaining the causes of the fatal fire.
    However, one black box was badly damaged in the fire that broke out early morning on December 28, investigators said.