Five occupants of the passenger ferry SAONISOS were slightly injured after it hit the lighthouse of the port of Folegandros, during the mooring process. Northerly winds of 7 to 8 Beaufort prevailed in the area.

According to the Coast Guard-Hellenic Coast Guard, the injured – three crew members and 2 passengers – were taken to the Folegandros polyclinic.

The sailing of the ship was prohibited while a diver will inspect its reefs.

The ship, with 24 passengers, 29 crew members and 7 vehicles, was running the route Syros-Paros-Naxos-Io-Sikinos-Folegandro-Thirasia, Thira, Anafi.

Speaking to SKAI, the mayor of Folegandros Kyriakos Marinakis reported that the accident occurred around 3 a.m. due to very strong winds reaching 8-9 Beaufort.

It was difficult to approach and ran into the traffic light before entering port.

Mr. Marinakis said that he does not consider that it was the captain’s fault as everyone is very experienced, and that the accident happened because of the strong winds.

Of the injured, three have already been transported to Santorini and it is expected that the other two will be transported by Super Puma to the Thriasio Hospital.

The injured have hit one in the spine, one in the head which received stitches and the third in the shoulder blade.

The other two have been hit in the thigh and one woman has a bruise on her head.