A Hellenic Navy vessel has been badly damaged on Tuesday at the port of Piraeus after it was rammed by a huge container ship.
A rescue operation is under way to move the sailors from the minesweeper “Kallisto”. According to reports, two crew members have been injured and have been transferred to a local hospital.
The incident happened early in the morning when a container ship hit the stern of the Navy vessel. Photographs show that the stern is almost totally destroyed.
Greek officials say that the Kallisto was taking on water and listing dangerously. Some express fears that the ship may sink.
The ship is one of the 12 HUNT minesweepers built by VOSPER THORNYCROFT shipyards in Portsmouth, England. It is made of Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) for increased strength and to minimize magnetic footprint.
It was launched in June 1987 and acquired by the Hellenic Navy on February 6, 2001.