Norman Atlantic ferry salvage operation claims lives of two Albanian seamen on a tugboat towing the ship

Ferry Norman Atlantic after it caught fire in waters off Greece. Credit: Marina Militare/Reuters

By ITV News correspondent Neil Connery

The stricken Norman Atlantic ferry continues to claim lives. As the salvage operation got underway this morning two Albanian seamen on a tugboat towing the ship were killed after being hit by a connecting cable which had become entangled and snapped.

Italian authorities say they're still searching the waters nearby after confusion about just how many people were on the ship when it caught fire on Sunday.

It's feared the passenger list issued by the ferry's owners may not have included all of those on board.

Passengers were carried off a cargo ship after being rescued from the stricken ferry. Credit: Reuters

In the Italian port of Brindisi officials are stressing the search operation continues.

"The deployment of men and equipment is still ongoing. Given the news that there are still more missing we can leave no stone unturned," one government official said.

Passengers were carried off after being rescued. Credit: Reuters

With discrepancies over just how many people were on board the ferry it's still unclear exactly how many are missing.

The deaths of the two Albanian seamen on the tugboat towing the ferry serves as a tragic reminder of the difficult conditions faced by those involved in this operation.