Everything has turned into something to be forgotten.
Panic quickly spread among hundreds of people.
Endless hours have fueled doubts and uncertainties…
…in frantic moments, full of fear.
Critical situations have marked the crossing of the GNV Azzurra ferry , which was involved in a serious emergency at sea involving 673 passengers. The ship had departed Porto Torres at 6:15 PM bound for Genoa when, while sailing off the coast of Propriano, southwest Corsica, a fire broke out in the engine room, forcing the crew to immediately activate rescue procedures. The blaze caused two engines to fail, making it impossible to continue the journey to Liguria and forcing the ship to return to Sardinia. Passenger accounts describe a night of sheer terror. Many were in the ship’s restaurants and common areas when they heard a loud noise from the engines, followed by smoke on board. Within minutes, concern turned to panic. Hundreds of people rushed to the outer decks wearing life jackets, while the crew worked to contain the damage and provide information on the situation.
Among the voices collected is that of a woman from Esporlatu , traveling with her family, who said she feared the worst when the lifeboats were deployed as a precaution. The passenger explained that many passengers spent the entire night in the open. Some even recalled other unpleasant maritime ordeals from the past, adding to the bitterness that accompanied the long hours of waiting. Rescue operations were immediate. French maritime authorities sent firefighters from Corsica aboard to assist the crew in extinguishing the flames and managing the emergency. After a technical assessment of the damage caused by the fire, it was decided to permanently suspend navigation to Genoa. The return to Porto Torres began in the early hours of the morning and was carried out with the assistance of the tugboat “Alessandro Onorato” and the Port Authority ‘s vessels .
The ferry arrived in the Sardinian port around 4:00 PM , welcomed by a massive medical and logistical support system deployed by the Regional Emergency Management Agency and the Prefecture of Sassari. Passengers underwent medical checks to assess any consequences of the accident. Fortunately, none of the people on board reported injuries or physical problems related to the fire, although many showed clear signs of stress and fatigue after a night of uncertainty. The shipping company GNV stated that the safety of passengers and crew was guaranteed throughout the entire process and that the incident was managed without any consequences for those on board. The company also assured passengers that they would be able to reach Genoa on another ferry, made available to complete the journey interrupted by the accident.
In parallel with the assistance operations, investigations have begun to determine the cause of the fire. GNV has announced that technical investigations will be conducted in conjunction with the company responsible for managing the vessel and in coordination with the competent authorities. The investigations will clarify the origin of the fire, the dynamics of the failure, and any operational repercussions on the vessel.
The GNV Azzurra incident has reignited the debate on maritime transport safety and the importance of emergency procedures at sea. Although the incident ended without any fatalities or injuries, the images of passengers wearing life jackets and the testimonies of a night spent between fear and hope will remain etched in the memories of those on board. For hundreds of people, what should have been a simple crossing turned into an experience to be forgotten, concluding only with the relief of disembarking and returning to shore.
