ATHENS, April 6 (RIA Novosti) - Greek authorities confirmed Friday that two French passengers on a cruise ship that ran aground off a Greek island Thursday and sank the next day were missing.
"These are two French tourists - a father and daughter of 45 and 16 years of age, respectively," a Merchant Marine Ministry official said, adding they went missing Thursday during the evacuation effort.
The Sea Diamond with 1,195 passengers and 391 crew on board apparently hit rocks and was listing near Santorini Island in the Aegean Sea, about half a mile from the ship Thursday, before sinking.
The evacuation effort, which involved seven helicopters, two military transport airplanes and two frigates and dozens of lifeboats, was completed Thursday.
Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefalogiannis said earlier in the day the cause of the accident was being investigated.
