Local maritime authorities and some Good Samaritans have successfully rescued all passengers and crew of a ferry that had suffered water ingress and was in danger of sinking just off Croatia's Adriatic Sea coast.
Reports stated that the catamaran ferry Melita was approaching its final destination of the Port of Zadar when it suffered a hull breach at around 22:00 local time on Monday, June 16.
The Zadar Port Authority (ZPA) and the crew of a nearby ferry belong to state-owned operator Jadrolinija then received word about the flooding. The ferry and a ZPA boat arrived at the scene within minutes to render assistance.
All 43 of Melita's passengers and crew were safely evacuated onto a liferaft, which was then towed by the ZPA boat. The survivors were then brought aboard the Jadrolinija ferry.
Zadar Prefect Josip Bilaver told reporters that a number of people who were on board the ferry have been brought to hospital for treatment while others have been cleared to return to their homes.
Bilaver said that the ferry's hull suffered damage after it was struck by a wave, though he assured that the vessel has remained afloat.
The Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure meanwhile stated that more information regarding the cause of the incident will be made available upon the conclusion of an ongoing investigation.