Eleven to face court on April 2020 over Norman Atlantic disaster

The criminal trial of 11 Greek nationals over the deadly fire that broke out inside the Norman Atlantic passenger ferry five years ago will start on April 9, with the accused facing charges of manslaughter and negligent arson, according to the Greek indictment seen by Kathimerini.

The defendants include executives of charterer ANEK, senior crew members, a trainee electrician and several sailors who helped load the cargo deck, the indictment says.

The accused will also face charges of reckless interference in marine transport.

According to the indictment, the fire broke when a refrigerator truck carrying live fish overheated as a result of not being properly connected to an electricity source. The blaze started on Deck 4 while the Norman Atlantic was sailing 12 nautical miles off the coast of Albania in gale-force winds.