Towed by tugboats, the GNV ferry "Azzurra" arrived in Porto Torres where it docked at the ASI dock around 4 pm.

The ship had left the port of Turritano at 6.15pm to head towards Genoa , when at around 8.30pm a fire broke out in the engine room, causing panic among the passengers , who were transferred to the upper external decks.

Late into the night, crew members reassured passengers that "everything" was "under control."

A student from the Paglietti Institute in Porto Torres was also on board. "Black smoke, we were crammed onto the deck where they were distributing water. We remained for two hours without any news," she said.

Other testimonies of the great fear experienced by many passengers on board.

Having set sail again at 6 a.m., the ship has now returned to the port of Porto Torres after a journey at a very slow speed of around 4 knots.

The Coast Guard vessels of the Port Authority of Turritana intervened to meet the ferry and provide assistance.

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