Australians safe after Greece ferry fire

An Australian man who was trapped with his daughter on a burning ferry off the Greek coast says he feared he would die.

The death toll from the ferry blaze in the Adriatic has risen to 10 as the search for survivors continues.

The ferry's passengers have recounted their terror as the Norman Atlantic became engulfed by thick smoke in rough seas, forcing many into the chilly waters below.

Australian Tim George, 48, described his frantic dash to safety after being only metres from the flames.

"The first floor was on fire, (so) we are going another upstairs floor," he told the Seven Network.

"Then the second floor was on fire, (so) we go to the last floor upstairs.

"It was our last chance."

Mr George and his 23-year-old daughter were eventually rescued after an anxious 20-hour wait at sea.

"We are now fine at the moment - everything is okay," Mr George said.

"But yesterday, we think we are going to die."

It is unclear how many people were on board and whether any are still missing, but the Italian navy continues to search, with almost 40 people still officially unaccounted for.

Italian Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi said that 427 people had been winched to safety by helicopter over the course of a 24-hour rescue operation carried out in an unusually fierce winter storm.

Thirty-eight people were unaccounted for, according to an updated list of passengers and crew from the Greek operator, but there were doubts over the accuracy of the list.

Australia's foreign affairs department earlier confirmed two Turkish-Australian dual nationals had been winched to safety from the ferry.

DFAT said the pair has been offered consular assistance.