Ten people have been confirmed dead after a passenger ferry off the coast of Greece caught fire and was engulfed in flames.

Greek and Italian rescue workers have saved more than 420 passengers but dozens are still be unaccounted for.

• Rescue operation as ferry burns

Two Australian-Turkish dual citizens were travelling on board the Norman Atlantic but the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed they are safe and well.

The ferry was sailing from Greece to Italy when a fire broke out on the car deck in the early hours of Sunday.

Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti told a press conference 437 people had been accounted for, but Greek authorities estimate 478 passengers were on board.

The ferry is now being towed back to port where an investigation will get underway.

Tough conditions like thick fog and rough seas complicated rescue efforts

The ferry’s Italian captain has been praised for being one of the last crew to leave the stricken vessel, remaining on board to save passengers for the entire 36-hour drama.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said the efforts of captain Argilio Giacomazzi helped avoid a “massacre”.

One man threw himself off the burning ferry, and was later confirmed as the first casualty when he was body was recovered by the Italian coastguard.

According to the ABC, the majority of passengers were Greek, but the manifest also listed the names of passengers from Germany, Italy, Turkey, France and Austria.