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The Costa Concordia Disaster: How Human Error Made It Worse

By: Becky Little

Updated: August 10, 2023 | Original: June 23, 2021

Night view on January 16, 2012, of the cruise liner Costa Concordia aground in front of the harbor of Isola del Giglio after hitting underwater rocks on January 13.

Many famous naval disasters happen far out at sea, but on January 13, 2012, the Costa Concordia wrecked just off the coast of an Italian island in relatively shallow water. The avoidable disaster killed 32 people and seriously injured many others, and left investigators wondering: Why was the luxury cruise ship sailing so close to the shore in the first place?

During the ensuing trial, prosecutors came up with a tabloid-ready explanation : The married ship captain had sailed it so close to the island to impress a much younger Moldovan dancer with whom he was having an affair.

Whether or not Captain Francesco Schettino was trying to impress his girlfriend is debatable. (Schettino insisted the ship sailed close to shore to salute other mariners and give passengers a good view.) But whatever the reason for getting too close, the Italian courts found the captain, four crew members and one official from the ship’s company, Costa Crociere (part of Carnival Corporation), to be at fault for causing the disaster and preventing a safe evacuation. The wreck was not the fault of unexpected weather or ship malfunction—it was a disaster caused entirely by a series of human errors.

“At any time when you have an incident similar to Concordia, there is never…a single causal factor,” says Brad Schoenwald, a senior marine inspector at the United States Coast Guard. “It is generally a sequence of events, things that line up in a bad way that ultimately create that incident.”

Wrecking Near the Shore

Technicians pass in a small boat near the stricken cruise liner Costa Concordia lying aground in front of the Isola del Giglio on January 26, 2012 after hitting underwater rocks on January 13.

The Concordia was supposed to take passengers on a seven-day Italian cruise from Civitavecchia to Savona. But when it deviated from its planned path to sail closer to the island of Giglio, the ship struck a reef known as the Scole Rocks. The impact damaged the ship, allowing water to seep in and putting the 4,229 people on board in danger.

Sailing close to shore to give passengers a nice view or salute other sailors is known as a “sail-by,” and it’s unclear how often cruise ships perform these maneuvers. Some consider them to be dangerous deviations from planned routes. In its investigative report on the 2012 disaster, Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructures and Transports found that the Concordia “was sailing too close to the coastline, in a poorly lit shore area…at an unsafe distance at night time and at high speed (15.5 kts).”

In his trial, Captain Schettino blamed the shipwreck on Helmsman Jacob Rusli Bin, who he claimed reacted incorrectly to his order; and argued that if the helmsman had reacted correctly and quickly, the ship wouldn’t have wrecked. However, an Italian naval admiral testified in court that even though the helmsman was late in executing the captain’s orders, “the crash would’ve happened anyway.” (The helmsman was one of the four crew members convicted in court for contributing to the disaster.)

A Questionable Evacuation

Former Captain of the Costa Concordia Francesco Schettino speaks with reporters after being aboard the ship with the team of experts inspecting the wreck on February 27, 2014 in Isola del Giglio, Italy. The Italian captain went back onboard the wreck for the first time since the sinking of the cruise ship on January 13, 2012, as part of his trial for manslaughter and abandoning ship.

Evidence introduced in Schettino’s trial suggests that the safety of his passengers and crew wasn’t his number one priority as he assessed the damage to the Concordia. The impact and water leakage caused an electrical blackout on the ship, and a recorded phone call with Costa Crociere’s crisis coordinator, Roberto Ferrarini, shows he tried to downplay and cover up his actions by saying the blackout was what actually caused the accident.

“I have made a mess and practically the whole ship is flooding,” Schettino told Ferrarini while the ship was sinking. “What should I say to the media?… To the port authorities I have said that we had…a blackout.” (Ferrarini was later convicted for contributing to the disaster by delaying rescue operations.)

Schettino also didn’t immediately alert the Italian Search and Rescue Authority about the accident. The impact on the Scole Rocks occurred at about 9:45 p.m. local time, and the first person to contact rescue officials about the ship was someone on the shore, according to the investigative report. Search and Rescue contacted the ship a few minutes after 10:00 p.m., but Schettino didn’t tell them what had happened for about 20 more minutes.

A little more than an hour after impact, the crew began to evacuate the ship. But the report noted that some passengers testified that they didn’t hear the alarm to proceed to the lifeboats. Evacuation was made even more chaotic by the ship listing so far to starboard, making walking inside very difficult and lowering the lifeboats on one side, near to impossible. Making things worse, the crew had dropped the anchor incorrectly, causing the ship to flop over even more dramatically.

Through the confusion, the captain somehow made it into a lifeboat before everyone else had made it off. A coast guard member angrily told him on the phone to “Get back on board, damn it!” —a recorded sound bite that turned into a T-shirt slogan in Italy.

Schettino argued that he fell into a lifeboat because of how the ship was listing to one side, but this argument proved unconvincing. In 2015, a court found Schettino guilty of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck, abandoning ship before passengers and crew were evacuated and lying to authorities about the disaster. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison. In addition to Schettino, Ferrarini and Rusli Bin, the other people who received convictions for their role in the disaster were Cabin Service Director Manrico Giampedroni, First Officer Ciro Ambrosio and Third Officer Silvia Coronica.

costa cruise line crash

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How the Wreck of a Cruise Liner Changed an Italian Island

Ten years ago the Costa Concordia ran aground off the Tuscan island of Giglio, killing 32 people and entwining the lives of others forever.

costa cruise line crash

By Gaia Pianigiani

GIGLIO PORTO, Italy — The curvy granite rocks of the Tuscan island of Giglio lay bare in the winter sun, no longer hidden by the ominous, stricken cruise liner that ran aground in the turquoise waters of this marine sanctuary ten years ago.

Few of the 500-odd residents of the fishermen’s village will ever forget the freezing night of Jan. 13, 2012, when the Costa Concordia shipwrecked, killing 32 people and upending life on the island for years.

“Every one of us here has a tragic memory from then,” said Mario Pellegrini, 59, who was deputy mayor in 2012 and was the first civilian to climb onto the cruise ship after it struck the rocks near the lighthouses at the port entrance.

The hospitality of the tight-knit community of islanders kicked in, at first to give basic assistance to the 4,229 passengers and crew members who had to be evacuated from a listing vessel as high as a skyscraper. In no time, Giglio residents hosted thousands of journalists, law enforcement officers and rescue experts who descended on the port. In the months to come, salvage teams set up camp in the picturesque harbor to work on safely removing the ship, an operation that took more than two years to complete.

costa cruise line crash

The people of Giglio felt like a family for those who spent long days at its port, waiting to receive word of their loved ones whose bodies remained trapped on the ship. On Thursday, 10 years to the day of the tragedy, the victims’ families, some passengers and Italian authorities attended a remembrance Mass and threw a crown of flowers onto the waters where the Costa Concordia had rested. At 9:45 p.m., the time when the ship ran aground, a candlelit procession illuminated the port’s quay while church bells rang and ship sirens blared.

What stands out now for many is how the wreck forever changed the lives of some of those whose paths crossed as a result. Friendships were made, business relations took shape and new families were even formed.

“It feels as if, since that tragic night, the lives of all the people involved were forever connected by an invisible thread,” Luana Gervasi, the niece of one of the shipwreck victims, said at the Mass on Thursday, her voice breaking.

Francesco Dietrich, 48, from the eastern city of Ancona, arrived on the island in February 2013 to work with the wreck divers, “a dream job,” he said, adding: “It was like offering someone who plays soccer for the parish team to join the Champions League with all the top teams in the business.”

For his work, Mr. Dietrich had to buy a lot of boat-repair supplies from the only hardware store in town. It was owned by a local family, and Mr. Dietrich now has a 6-year-old son, Pietro, with the family’s daughter.

“It was such a shock for us,” said Bruna Danei, 42, who until 2018 worked as a secretary for the consortium that salvaged the wreck. “The work on the Costa Concordia was a life-changing experience for me in many ways.”

A rendering of the Costa Concordia used by salvage teams to plan its recovery hung on the wall of the living room where her 22-month-old daughter, Arianna, played.

“She wouldn’t be here if Davide hadn’t come to work on the site,” Ms. Danei said, referring to Davide Cedioli, 52, an experienced diver from Turin who came to the island in May 2012 to help right the Costa Concordia — and who is also Arianna’s father.

From a barge, Mr. Cedioli monitored the unprecedented salvage operation that, in less than a day, was able to rotate the 951-foot vessel, partly smashed against the rocks, from the sea bottom to an upright position without further endangering the underwater ecosystem that it damaged when it ran aground.

“We jumped up and down in happiness when the parbuckling was completed,” Mr. Cedioli remembered. “We felt we were bringing some justice to this story. And I loved this small community and living on the island.”

The local council voted to make Jan. 13 a day of remembrance on Giglio, but after this year it will stop the public commemorations and “make it a more intimate moment, without the media,” Mr. Ortelli said during the mass.

“Being here ten years later brings back a lot of emotions,” said Kevin Rebello, 47, whose older brother, Russell, was a waiter on the Costa Concordia.

Russell Rebello’s remains were finally retrieved three years after the shipwreck, from under the furniture in a cabin, once the vessel was upright and being taken apart in Genoa.

“First, I feel close to my brother here,” Kevin Rebello said. “But it is also some sort of family reunion for me — I couldn’t wait to see the Giglio people.”

Mr. Rebello hugged and greeted residents on the streets of the port area, and recalled how the people there had shown affection for him at the time, buying him coffee and simply showing respect for his grief.

“Other victims’ families feel differently, but I am a Catholic and I have forgiven,” Mr. Rebello explained.

The Costa Concordia accident caused national shame when it became clear that the liner’s commander, Francesco Schettino, failed to immediately sound the general alarm and coordinate the evacuation, and instead abandoned the sinking vessel.

“Get back on board!” a Coast Guard officer shouted at Mr. Schettino when he understood that the captain was in a lifeboat watching people scramble to escape, audio recordings of their exchange later revealed. “Go up on the bow of the ship on a rope ladder, and tell me what you can do, how many people are there and what they need. Now!”

The officer has since pursued a successful career in politics, while Mr. Schettino is serving a 16-year sentence in a Roman prison for homicide and for abandoning the ship before the evacuation was completed. Other officials and crew members plea-bargained for lesser sentences.

During the trial, Mr. Schettino admitted that he had committed an “imprudence” when he decided to sail near the island of Giglio at high speed to greet the family of the ship’s headwaiter. The impact with the half-submerged rock near the island produced a gash in the hull more than 70 meters long, or about 76 yards, leading to blackouts on board and water pouring into the lower decks.

Mr. Schettino tried to steer the cruise ship toward the port to make evacuation easier, but the vessel was out of control and began to tip as it neared the harbor, making many lifeboats useless.

“I can’t forget the eyes of children, scared to death, and of their parents,” said Mr. Pellegrini, who had boarded the ship to speak with officials and organize the evacuation. “The metallic sound of the enormous ship tipping over and the gurgling of the sea up the endless corridors of the cruiser.”

Sergio Ortelli, who is still the mayor of Giglio ten years later, was similarly moved. “Nobody can go back and cancel those senseless deaths of innocent people, or the grief of their families,” he said. “The tragedy will always stay with us as a community. It was an apocalypse for us.”

Yet Mr. Ortelli said that the accident also told a different story, that of the skilled rescuers who managed to save thousands of lives, and of the engineers who righted the liner, refloated it and took it to the scrapyard.

While the global attention shifted away from Giglio, residents have stayed in touch with the outside world through the people who temporarily lived there.

For months, the Rev. Lorenzo Pasquotti, who was then a pastor in Giglio, kept receiving packages: dry-cleaned slippers, sweaters and tablecloths that were given to the cold, stranded passengers in his church that night, returned via courier.

One summer, Father Pasquotti ate German cookies with a German couple who were passengers on the ship. They still remembered the hot tea and leftovers from Christmas delicacies that they were given that night.

“So many nationalities — the world was at our door all of a sudden,” he said, remembering that night. “And we naturally opened it.”

Gaia Pianigiani is a reporter based in Italy for The New York Times.  More about Gaia Pianigiani

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'We all suffer from PTSD': 10 years after the Costa Concordia cruise disaster, memories remain

GIGLIO, Italy — Ten years have passed since the Costa Concordia cruise ship slammed into a reef and capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio. But for the passengers on board and the residents who welcomed them ashore, the memories of that harrowing, freezing night remain vividly etched into their minds.

The dinner plates that flew off the tables when the rocks first gashed the hull. The blackout after the ship's engine room flooded and its generators failed. The final mad scramble to evacuate the listing liner and then the extraordinary generosity of Giglio islanders who offered shoes, sweatshirts and shelter until the sun rose and passengers were ferried to the mainland.

Italy on Thursday is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration that will end with a candlelit vigil near the moment the ship hit the reef: 9:45 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2012. The events will honor the 32 people who died that night, the 4,200 survivors, but also the residents of Giglio, who took in passengers and crew and then lived with the Concordia's wrecked carcass off their shore for another two years until it was righted and hauled away for scrap.

► CDC travel guidance: CDC warns 'avoid cruise travel' after more than 5,000 COVID cases in two weeks amid omicron

“For us islanders, when we remember some event, we always refer to whether it was before or after the Concordia,” said Matteo Coppa, who was 23 and fishing on the jetty when the darkened Concordia listed toward shore and then collapsed onto its side in the water.

“I imagine it like a nail stuck to the wall that marks that date, as a before and after,” he said, recounting how he joined the rescue effort that night, helping pull ashore the dazed, injured and freezing passengers from lifeboats.

The sad anniversary comes as the cruise industry, shut down in much of the world for months because of the coronavirus pandemic, is once again in the spotlight because of COVID-19 outbreaks that threaten passenger safety. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control last month  warned people across-the-board not to go on cruises, regardless of their vaccination status, because of the risks of infection.

► 'We found out while we were flying': Last-minute cruise cancellations leave travelers scrambling

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'We all suffer from PTSD'

For Concordia survivor Georgia Ananias, the COVID-19 infections are just the latest evidence that passenger safety still isn’t a top priority for the cruise ship industry. Passengers aboard the Concordia were largely left on their own to find life jackets and a functioning lifeboat after the captain steered the ship close too shore in a stunt. He then delayed an evacuation order until it was too late, with lifeboats unable to lower because the ship was listing too heavily.

“I always said this will not define me, but you have no choice," Ananias said in an interview from her home in Los Angeles, Calif. “We all suffer from PTSD. We had a lot of guilt that we survived and 32 other people died.”

Prosecutors blamed the delayed evacuation order and conflicting instructions given by crew for the chaos that ensued as passengers scrambled to get off the ship. The captain, Francesco Schettino, is serving a 16-year prison sentence for manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning a ship before all the passengers and crew had evacuated.

Ananias and her family declined Costa’s initial $14,500 compensation offered to each passenger and sued Costa, a unit of U.S.-based Carnival Corp., to try to cover the cost of their medical bills and therapy for the post-traumatic stress they have suffered. But after eight years in the U.S. and then Italian court system, they lost their case.

“I think people need to be aware that when you go on a cruise, that if there is a problem, you will not have the justice that you may be used to in the country in which you are living,” said Ananias, who went onto become a top official in the International Cruise Victims association, an advocacy group that lobbies to improve safety aboard ships and increase transparency and accountability in the industry.

Costa didn’t respond to emails seeking comment on the anniversary.

► Royal Caribbean cancels sailings: Pushes back restart on several ships over COVID

'We did something incredible'

Cruise Lines International Association, the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, stressed in a statement to The Associated Press that passenger and crew safety was the industry's top priority, and that cruising remains one of the safest vacation experiences available.

“Our thoughts continue to be with the victims of the Concordia tragedy and their families on this sad anniversary," CLIA said. It said it has worked over the past 10 years with the International Maritime Organization and the maritime industry to “drive a safety culture that is based on continuous improvement."

For Giglio Mayor Sergio Ortelli, the memories of that night run the gamut: the horror of seeing the capsized ship, the scramble to coordinate rescue services on shore, the recovery of the first bodies and then the pride that islanders rose to the occasion to tend to the survivors.

► Cruising during COVID-19: Cancellation, refund policies vary by cruise line

Ortelli was later on hand when, in September 2013, the 115,000-ton, 1,000-foot long cruise ship was righted vertical off its seabed graveyard in an extraordinary feat of engineering. But the night of the disaster, a Friday the 13th, remains seared in his memory.

“It was a night that, in addition to being a tragedy, had a beautiful side because the response of the people was a spontaneous gesture that was appreciated around the world,” Ortelli said.

It seemed the natural thing to do at the time. “But then we realized that on that night, in just a few hours, we did something incredible.”

Ten years on, Costa Concordia shipwreck still haunts survivors, islanders

The cruise liner Costa Concordia is seen during the "parbuckling" operation outside Giglio harbour

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Philip Pullella reported from Rome; Additional reporting by Yara Nardi, writing by Philip Pullella; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise

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10 years later, Costa Concordia disaster is still vivid for survivors

The luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia lays on its starboard side after it ran aground off the coast of Italy in 2012.

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Ten years have passed since the Costa Concordia cruise ship slammed into a reef and capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio . But for the passengers on board and the residents who welcomed them ashore, the memories of that harrowing, freezing night remain vividly etched into their minds.

The dinner plates that flew off the tables when the rocks first gashed the hull. The blackout after the ship’s engine room flooded and its generators failed. The final mad scramble to evacuate the listing liner and then the extraordinary generosity of Giglio islanders who offered shoes, sweatshirts and shelter until the sun rose and passengers were ferried to the mainland.

Italy on Thursday is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration that will end with a candlelit vigil near the moment the ship hit the reef: 9:45 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2012. The events will honor the 32 people who died that night, the 4,200 survivors, but also the residents of Giglio, who took in passengers and crew and then lived with the Concordia’s wrecked carcass off their shore for another two years until it was righted and hauled away for scrap.

“For us islanders, when we remember some event, we always refer to whether it was before or after the Concordia,” said Matteo Coppa, who was 23 and fishing on the jetty when the darkened Concordia listed toward shore and then collapsed onto its side in the water.

“I imagine it like a nail stuck to the wall that marks that date, as a before and after,” he said, recounting how he joined the rescue effort that night, helping pull ashore the dazed, injured and freezing passengers from lifeboats.

The sad anniversary comes as the cruise industry, shut down in much of the world for months because of the coronavirus pandemic, is once again in the spotlight because of COVID-19 outbreaks that threaten passenger safety. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control last month warned people across-the-board not to go on cruises , regardless of their vaccination status, because of the risks of infection.

A couple stands on a rear balcony of the Ruby Princess cruise ship while docked in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a cruise ship that docked in San Francisco on Thursday after a dozen vaccinated passengers tested positive for coronavirus. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

A dozen passengers on cruise ship test positive for coronavirus

The passengers, whose infections were found through random testing, were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, according to the Port of San Francisco.

Jan. 7, 2022

For Concordia survivor Georgia Ananias, the COVID-19 infections are just the latest evidence that passenger safety still isn’t a top priority for the cruise ship industry. Passengers aboard the Concordia were largely left on their own to find life jackets and a functioning lifeboat after the captain steered the ship close too shore in a stunt. He then delayed an evacuation order until it was too late, with lifeboats unable to lower because the ship was listing too heavily.

“I always said this will not define me, but you have no choice,” Ananias said in an interview from her home in Los Angeles. “We all suffer from PTSD. We had a lot of guilt that we survived and 32 other people died.”

Prosecutors blamed the delayed evacuation order and conflicting instructions given by crew for the chaos that ensued as passengers scrambled to get off the ship. The captain, Francesco Schettino, is serving a 16-year prison sentence for manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning a ship before all the passengers and crew had evacuated.

Ananias and her family declined Costa’s initial $14,500 compensation offered to each passenger and sued Costa, a unit of U.S.-based Carnival Corp., to try to cover the cost of their medical bills and therapy for the post-traumatic stress they have suffered. But after eight years in the U.S. and then Italian court system, they lost their case.

“I think people need to be aware that when you go on a cruise, that if there is a problem, you will not have the justice that you may be used to in the country in which you are living,” said Ananias, who went onto become a top official in the International Cruise Victims association, an advocacy group that lobbies to improve safety aboard ships and increase transparency and accountability in the industry.

Costa didn’t respond to emails seeking comment on the anniversary.

Cruise Lines International Assn., the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, stressed in a statement to the Associated Press that passenger and crew safety were the industry’s top priority, and that cruising remains one of the safest vacation experiences available.

“Our thoughts continue to be with the victims of the Concordia tragedy and their families on this sad anniversary,” CLIA said. It said it has worked over the past 10 years with the International Maritime Organization and the maritime industry to “drive a safety culture that is based on continuous improvement.”

For Giglio Mayor Sergio Ortelli, the memories of that night run the gamut: the horror of seeing the capsized ship, the scramble to coordinate rescue services on shore, the recovery of the first bodies and then the pride that islanders rose to the occasion to tend to the survivors.

Ortelli was later on hand when, in September 2013, the 115,000-ton, 1,000-foot long cruise ship was righted vertical off its seabed graveyard in an extraordinary feat of engineering. But the night of the disaster, a Friday the 13th, remains seared in his memory.

“It was a night that, in addition to being a tragedy, had a beautiful side because the response of the people was a spontaneous gesture that was appreciated around the world,” Ortelli said.

It seemed the natural thing to do at the time. “But then we realized that on that night, in just a few hours, we did something incredible.”

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Costa Concordia Victims' Last Moments Revealed

The story of a passenger who drowned after giving up his seat in a lifeboat features in a report released by prosecutors.

By Nick Pisa, Sky Reporter

Tuesday 5 March 2013 12:46, UK

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The capsized cruise liner Costa Concordia is pictured outside Giglio harbour

Details of the final moments of the 32 people who died in the Costa Concordia cruise ship tragedy have emerged in a prosecution report.

The 60-page document makes up the official request to have captain Francesco Schettino - who was in charge at the time - sent for trial.

He is accused of multiple manslaughter, causing a disaster, failing to inform authorities of what had happened and abandoning ship while dozens of passengers were still onboard.

More than 4,000 passengers and crew were onboard the doomed Costa Concordia when it struck rocks after Schettino allegedly changed course in order to carry out a sail-by salute of a Mediterranean island to impress holidaymakers.

Costa Concordia crash victims

The 70-metre gash allowed water to pour in and the ship eventually capsized and came to rest on its side at a location known as Seagull Point, just outside the harbour on the island of Giglio in January last year, hours into a seven-day cruise.

The chaotic scenes of panic and disorganisation that gripped the ship as it started to sink are evident throughout the report.

In one part, Francecso Verusio relives the moment when the youngest victim of the disaster, five-year-old Dayana Arlotti, and her father, William, drowned.

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Mr Verusio wrote that they died ''because they were unable to find any space in a lifeboat on deck four, on the left-hand side, and they were then directed to the right-hand side by crew members on the same deck but as they were crossing the inside corridor ... they fell into a hole that had been created when the ship rolled onto its right side.

"They dropped into an area that was already flooded and they died from drowning," he added.

Other stories include that of bartender Erika Fani Soria Molinala, who fell from a lifeboat as it pulled away from the Concordia but as she was not wearing a lifejacket she was dragged underwater from the current created as the Concordia tilted on its side.

It also emerged that holidaymaker Maria D'Introno - whose body has yet to be recovered - was told to get out of a lifeboat because it was too full and the tilt of the ship made it impossible to launch safely.

She was later seen terrified by the edge of the ship, jumping into the water without a lifejacket despite not being able to swim.

The last moments of musician Giuseppe Girolamo are described in another section of the report.

It emerged he had been directed to the right-hand side of the boat to get into a lifeboat and had actually got into one when he decided to give up his place - only to later drown.

The prosecution report also details how Schettino was distracted by the ''inopportune presence of unauthorised persons'' on the bridge of the Concordia, including several crew members and passenger hostess Domnica Cemortan - who was seen enjoying dinner with the captain minutes before the ship struck the rocks.

It also details how Schettino was distracted as he was speaking on the telephone while he was ''in close proximity to the coast in a dangerous situation and with the helm under manual control".

It goes on to list 157 passengers who are suffering from post-traumatic stress following the disaster.

Schettino, 52, has insisted he is innocent of all charges and that the rocks were not marked on his charts. He says he should be thanked as his actions in steering the ship back towards the port at Giglio saved hundreds of lives.

However, he was ridiculed by the world's media after it emerged he had told coastguards he "tripped and fell" into a lifeboat as the Concordia began to list to one side, while recordings later emerged of him refusing orders to get back onboard and co-ordinate the rescue efforts.

Some other crew members also face charges, as do management figures from the company Costa Cruises, which owns the ship that is still lying on its side and not expected to be removed until September at the earliest.

The initial part of the trial is expected to last a week and once again will take place in a theatre in the town of Grosseto.

Prosecutors have also requested the indictment of five other crew members, including two officers Ciro Ambrosio and Silvio Coronica and the Concordia's helmsman Jacob Rusli.

In an unusual move, Mr Verusio has posted details of the case on a Facebook site in various languages and invited those who may have a claim to contact him.

It has also emerged that Costa Cruises asked for a plea-bargaining agreement, which would see them pay a fine of one million euros. They insist Schettino is solely to blame.

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10 years later, Costa Concordia survivors share their stories from doomed cruise ship

Ten years after the deadly Costa Concordia cruise line disaster in Italy, survivors still vividly remember scenes of chaos they say were like something straight out of the movie "Titanic."

NBC News correspondent Kelly Cobiella caught up with a group of survivors on TODAY Wednesday, a decade after they escaped a maritime disaster that claimed the lives of 32 people. The Italian cruise ship ran aground off the tiny Italian island of Giglio after striking an underground rock and capsizing.

"I think it’s the panic, the feeling of panic, is what’s carried through over 10 years," Ian Donoff, who was on the cruise with his wife Janice for their honeymoon, told Cobiella. "And it’s just as strong now."

More than 4,000 passengers and crew were on board when the ship crashed into rocks in the dark in the Mediterranean Sea, sending seawater rushing into the vessel as people scrambled for their lives.

The ship's captain, Francesco Schettino, had been performing a sail-past salute of Giglio when he steered the ship too close to the island and hit the jagged reef, opening a 230-foot gash in the side of the cruise liner.

Passengers struggled to escape in the darkness, clambering to get to the life boats. Alaska resident Nate Lukes was with his wife, Cary, and their four daughters aboard the ship and remembers the chaos that ensued as the ship started to sink.

"There was really a melee there is the best way to describe it," he told Cobiella. "It's very similar to the movie 'Titanic.' People were jumping onto the top of the lifeboats and pushing down women and children to try to get to them."

The lifeboats wouldn't drop down because the ship was tilted on its side, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded on the side of the ship for hours in the cold. People were left to clamber down a rope ladder over a distance equivalent to 11 stories.

"Everybody was rushing for the lifeboats," Nate Lukes said. "I felt like (my daughters) were going to get trampled, and putting my arms around them and just holding them together and letting the sea of people go by us."

Schettino was convicted of multiple manslaughter as well as abandoning ship after leaving before all the passengers had reached safety. He is now serving a 16-year prison sentence .

It took nearly two years for the damaged ship to be raised from its side before it was towed away to be scrapped.

The calamity caused changes in the cruise industry like carrying more lifejackets and holding emergency drills before leaving port.

A decade after that harrowing night, the survivors are grateful to have made it out alive. None of the survivors who spoke with Cobiella have been on a cruise since that day.

"I said that if we survive this, then our marriage will have to survive forever," Ian Donoff said.

Scott Stump is a trending reporter and the writer of the daily newsletter This is TODAY (which you should subscribe to here! ) that brings the day's news, health tips, parenting stories, recipes and a daily delight right to your inbox. He has been a regular contributor for TODAY.com since 2011, producing features and news for pop culture, parents, politics, health, style, food and pretty much everything else. 

10 years later, Costa Concordia disaster vivid for survivors

FILE — The luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia lays on its starboard side after it ran aground off the coast of the Isola del Giglio island, Italy on Jan. 13, 2012. Italy is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Giuseppe Modesti)

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Ten years have passed since the Costa Concordia cruise ship slammed into a reef and capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio. But for the passengers on board and the residents who welcomed them ashore, the memories of that harrowing, freezing night remain vividly etched into their minds.

The dinner plates that flew off the tables when the rocks first gashed the hull. The blackout after the ship’s engine room flooded and its generators failed. The final mad scramble to evacuate the listing liner and then the extraordinary generosity of Giglio islanders who offered shoes, sweatshirts and shelter until the sun rose and passengers were ferried to the mainland.

Italy on Thursday is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration that will end with a candlelit vigil near the moment the ship hit the reef: 9:45 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2012. The events will honor the 32 people who died that night, the 4,200 survivors, but also the residents of Giglio, who took in passengers and crew and then lived with the Concordia’s wrecked carcass off their shore for another two years until it was righted and hauled away for scrap.

“For us islanders, when we remember some event, we always refer to whether it was before or after the Concordia,” said Matteo Coppa, who was 23 and fishing on the jetty when the darkened Concordia listed toward shore and then collapsed onto its side in the water.

“I imagine it like a nail stuck to the wall that marks that date, as a before and after,” he said, recounting how he joined the rescue effort that night, helping pull ashore the dazed, injured and freezing passengers from lifeboats.

The sad anniversary comes as the cruise industry, shut down in much of the world for months because of the coronavirus pandemic, is once again in the spotlight because of COVID-19 outbreaks that threaten passenger safety. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control last month warned people across-the-board not to go on cruises , regardless of their vaccination status, because of the risks of infection.

For Concordia survivor Georgia Ananias, the COVID-19 infections are just the latest evidence that passenger safety still isn’t a top priority for the cruise ship industry. Passengers aboard the Concordia were largely left on their own to find life jackets and a functioning lifeboat after the captain steered the ship close too shore in a stunt. He then delayed an evacuation order until it was too late, with lifeboats unable to lower because the ship was listing too heavily.

“I always said this will not define me, but you have no choice,” Ananias said in an interview from her home in Los Angeles, Calif. “We all suffer from PTSD. We had a lot of guilt that we survived and 32 other people died.”

Prosecutors blamed the delayed evacuation order and conflicting instructions given by crew for the chaos that ensued as passengers scrambled to get off the ship. The captain, Francesco Schettino, is serving a 16-year prison sentence for manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning a ship before all the passengers and crew had evacuated.

Ananias and her family declined Costa’s initial $14,500 compensation offered to each passenger and sued Costa, a unit of U.S.-based Carnival Corp., to try to cover the cost of their medical bills and therapy for the post-traumatic stress they have suffered. But after eight years in the U.S. and then Italian court system, they lost their case.

“I think people need to be aware that when you go on a cruise, that if there is a problem, you will not have the justice that you may be used to in the country in which you are living,” said Ananias, who went onto become a top official in the International Cruise Victims association, an advocacy group that lobbies to improve safety aboard ships and increase transparency and accountability in the industry.

Costa didn’t respond to emails seeking comment on the anniversary.

Cruise Lines International Association, the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, stressed in a statement to The Associated Press that passenger and crew safety was the industry’s top priority, and that cruising remains one of the safest vacation experiences available.

“Our thoughts continue to be with the victims of the Concordia tragedy and their families on this sad anniversary,” CLIA said. It said it has worked over the past 10 years with the International Maritime Organization and the maritime industry to “drive a safety culture that is based on continuous improvement.”

For Giglio Mayor Sergio Ortelli, the memories of that night run the gamut: the horror of seeing the capsized ship, the scramble to coordinate rescue services on shore, the recovery of the first bodies and then the pride that islanders rose to the occasion to tend to the survivors.

Ortelli was later on hand when, in September 2013, the 115,000-ton, 300-meter (1,000-foot) long cruise ship was righted vertical off its seabed graveyard in an extraordinary feat of engineering. But the night of the disaster, a Friday the 13th, remains seared in his memory.

“It was a night that, in addition to being a tragedy, had a beautiful side because the response of the people was a spontaneous gesture that was appreciated around the world,” Ortelli said.

It seemed the natural thing to do at the time. “But then we realized that on that night, in just a few hours, we did something incredible.”

Winfield reported from Rome.

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The Wrecked Costa Concordia Cruise Ship Is Finally Being Towed Away

The ship’s remains will be broken down for scrap metal

Rachel Nuwer

Rachel Nuwer

costa

The MS Costa Concordia , the Italian cruise ship that killed 32 people when it sank off the coast off Isola del Giglio in 2012, has just been sitting off the Tuscan coast ever since. This morning, though, the ship was successfully refloated, the Guardian reports . Environmentalists are relieved since the ship has been marring a marine sanctuary for more than two years, while local residents say they are looking forward to no longer having to see a giant wreck each time they look out to sea. 

Removing the ship entirely, however, will be no easy task. For starters, it's twice as big as the RMS Titanic , the Guardian  points out. So far, however, the plan seems to be working: 

Air was pumped slowly into 30 tanks or "sponsons" attached to both sides of the 290-metre, 114,500-tonne Concordia to expel the water inside, raising it two metres (6.5 feet) off the artificial platform it has rested on since it was righted in September. It will now be towed away from the shore and moored using anchors and cables. Thirty-six steel cables and 56 chains will hold the sponsons in place.

There are going to be substantial risks before the Costa Concordia is gone for good ,  however. As CNN writes , the ship's rotting hull could break off as it is jostled about, which would cause lengthy delays. Or, it could just fall apart entirely. "The worst case scenario is that the ship falls apart during the first six hours as it's raised off the platform -- or that it breaks up somewhere off the coast of Corsica, which is where the Mediterranean's currents are the strongest," CNN continues. Some environmental groups, like Greenpeace, are also concerned that the Costa Concordia will leave a trail of leaky toxic waste in its wake, CNN adds. 

The Costa Concordia 's planned final destination is Genoa, Italy, where it will be broken down into scrap metal. Experts estimate that that process could take as long as two-and-a-half years, CNN writes. 

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Rachel Nuwer

Rachel Nuwer | | READ MORE

Rachel Nuwer is a freelance science writer based in Brooklyn.

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10 years later, Costa Concordia disaster vivid for survivors

FILE — The luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia lays on its starboard side after it ran aground off the coast of the Isola del Giglio island, Italy on Jan. 13, 2012. Italy is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Giuseppe Modesti)

FILE — The luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia lays on its starboard side after it ran aground off the coast of the Isola del Giglio island, Italy on Jan. 13, 2012. Italy is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Giuseppe Modesti)

FILE— The grounded cruise ship Costa Concordia is seen through a window on the Isola del Giglio island, Italy, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

FILE— Oil removal ships near the cruise ship Costa Concordia leaning on its side Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, after running aground near the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, last Friday night. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

FILE— The Costa Concordia ship lies on its side on the Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, Monday, Sept. 16, 2013. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

FILE— A sunbather gets her tan on a rock during the operations to refloat the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia on the tiny Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, Saturday, July 19, 2014. Once the ship has refloated it will be towed to Genoa’s port, about 200 nautical miles (320 kilometers), where it will be dismantled. 30 months ago it struck a reef and capsized, killing 32 people. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

FILE— The wrecked hulk of the Costa Concordia cruise ship is towed along the Tyrrhenian Sea, 30 miles off the coast of Viareggio, Italy, Friday, July 25, 2014. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Fabio Muzzi)

FILE— A view of the previously submerged side of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, off the coast of the Tuscan Island of Giglio, Italy, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

FILE— A passenger from South Korea, center, walks with Italian Firefighters, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, after being rescued from the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia which ran aground on the tiny Italian island of Isola del Giglio. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

FILE— A woman hangs her laundry as the grounded cruise ship Costa Concordia is seen in the background, off the Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap.(AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

FILE— In this photo taken on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, Francesco Schettino, right, the captain of the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia, which ran aground off the tiny Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, is taken into custody by Carabinieri in Porto Santo Stefano, Italy. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Giacomo Aprili)

Experts aboard a sea platform carry oil recovery equipment, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, as they return to the port of the Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, where the cruise ship Costa Concordia, visible in background, ran aground on Ja. 13, 2012. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

FILE— Seagulls fly in front of the grounded cruise ship Costa Concordia off the Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, Monday, Jan. 30, 2012. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

FILE— Italian firefighters conduct search operations on the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia that ran aground the tiny Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers and crew from the ship on that rainy Friday night and then lived with the Concordia carcass for another two years before it was hauled away for scrap. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

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GIGLIO, Italy (AP) — Ten years have passed since the Costa Concordia cruise ship slammed into a reef and capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio. But for the passengers on board and the residents who welcomed them ashore, the memories of that harrowing, freezing night remain vividly etched into their minds.

The dinner plates that flew off the tables when the rocks first gashed the hull. The blackout after the ship’s engine room flooded and its generators failed. The final mad scramble to evacuate the listing liner and then the extraordinary generosity of Giglio islanders who offered shoes, sweatshirts and shelter until the sun rose and passengers were ferried to the mainland.

Italy on Thursday is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration that will end with a candlelit vigil near the moment the ship hit the reef: 9:45 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2012. The events will honor the 32 people who died that night, the 4,200 survivors, but also the residents of Giglio, who took in passengers and crew and then lived with the Concordia’s wrecked carcass off their shore for another two years until it was righted and hauled away for scrap.

“For us islanders, when we remember some event, we always refer to whether it was before or after the Concordia,” said Matteo Coppa, who was 23 and fishing on the jetty when the darkened Concordia listed toward shore and then collapsed onto its side in the water.

“I imagine it like a nail stuck to the wall that marks that date, as a before and after,” he said, recounting how he joined the rescue effort that night, helping pull ashore the dazed, injured and freezing passengers from lifeboats.

The sad anniversary comes as the cruise industry, shut down in much of the world for months because of the coronavirus pandemic, is once again in the spotlight because of COVID-19 outbreaks that threaten passenger safety. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control last month warned people across-the-board not to go on cruises , regardless of their vaccination status, because of the risks of infection.

For Concordia survivor Georgia Ananias, the COVID-19 infections are just the latest evidence that passenger safety still isn’t a top priority for the cruise ship industry. Passengers aboard the Concordia were largely left on their own to find life jackets and a functioning lifeboat after the captain steered the ship close too shore in a stunt. He then delayed an evacuation order until it was too late, with lifeboats unable to lower because the ship was listing too heavily.

“I always said this will not define me, but you have no choice,” Ananias said in an interview from her home in Los Angeles, Calif. “We all suffer from PTSD. We had a lot of guilt that we survived and 32 other people died.”

Prosecutors blamed the delayed evacuation order and conflicting instructions given by crew for the chaos that ensued as passengers scrambled to get off the ship. The captain, Francesco Schettino, is serving a 16-year prison sentence for manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning a ship before all the passengers and crew had evacuated.

Ananias and her family declined Costa’s initial $14,500 compensation offered to each passenger and sued Costa, a unit of U.S.-based Carnival Corp., to try to cover the cost of their medical bills and therapy for the post-traumatic stress they have suffered. But after eight years in the U.S. and then Italian court system, they lost their case.

“I think people need to be aware that when you go on a cruise, that if there is a problem, you will not have the justice that you may be used to in the country in which you are living,” said Ananias, who went onto become a top official in the International Cruise Victims association, an advocacy group that lobbies to improve safety aboard ships and increase transparency and accountability in the industry.

Costa didn’t respond to emails seeking comment on the anniversary.

Cruise Lines International Association, the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, stressed in a statement to The Associated Press that passenger and crew safety was the industry’s top priority, and that cruising remains one of the safest vacation experiences available.

“Our thoughts continue to be with the victims of the Concordia tragedy and their families on this sad anniversary,” CLIA said. It said it has worked over the past 10 years with the International Maritime Organization and the maritime industry to “drive a safety culture that is based on continuous improvement.”

For Giglio Mayor Sergio Ortelli, the memories of that night run the gamut: the horror of seeing the capsized ship, the scramble to coordinate rescue services on shore, the recovery of the first bodies and then the pride that islanders rose to the occasion to tend to the survivors.

Ortelli was later on hand when, in September 2013, the 115,000-ton, 300-meter (1,000-foot) long cruise ship was righted vertical off its seabed graveyard in an extraordinary feat of engineering. But the night of the disaster, a Friday the 13th, remains seared in his memory.

“It was a night that, in addition to being a tragedy, had a beautiful side because the response of the people was a spontaneous gesture that was appreciated around the world,” Ortelli said.

It seemed the natural thing to do at the time. “But then we realized that on that night, in just a few hours, we did something incredible.”

Winfield reported from Rome.

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Francesco Schettino

Costa Concordia trial hears details of victims' deaths

The Italian court trying the captain of the Costa Concordia has heard grim details about how the 32 victims of the shipwreck drowned, some after diving or falling into the sea from the capsized cruise liner when lifeboats were no longer accessible.

A court official read out the names of the deceased passengers and crew members and described how each one died, quoting verbatim from the indictment of the Concordia's captain, Francesco Schettino.

Schettino was charged with manslaughter, causing the shipwreck off the Tuscan island of Giglio in January 2012 and abandoning ship with "hundreds of passengers and crew still aboard, unable to care for themselves or in need of co-ordination as the ship's tilt increased," the official said.

The Concordia, on a week-long Mediterranean cruise, speared a jagged granite reef when, prosecutors allege, Schettino steered the ship too close to Giglio's rocky shores as a favour to a crewman whose relatives lived on the island.

Survivors described an evacuation that was so confused and delayed that by the time it got under way, lifeboats on one side of the Concordia could no longer be launched because the vessel was already badly listing.

The list of the victims began with a Frenchman, Francis Servel, who "not having found a place on the lifeboat, threw himself into the sea without a life vest", the court official read. He was "sucked toward the bottom of the whirlpool produced by the final flipping over on the right side of the ship, and then died due to asphyxiation".

Shortly after the tragedy, survivors recounted how Servel had given his wife his life vest because she didn't know how to swim, the court heard.

The bodies of victims No 31 and 32 were never found, but after a long, futile search of the ship's interior and the nearby waters they were declared dead.

One of them was a middle-aged Italian passenger, Maria Grazia Trecarichi, who with no place on a lifeboat and while waiting to be rescued wearing a life vest, "slid off into the sea because of the progressive tilt of the boat" and presumably drowned, the court official said.

No 32 was a Filipino waiter, Russel Terence Rebello. The court heard how the crewman "remained on the ship to carry out the lowering of the last lifeboats" and either fell or dove into the sea because of the Concordia's dramatic tilt, and was presumed to have drowned.

Other victims drowned aboard as violently swirling water rose up inside the ship. The court heard how some passengers were "sucked into a vortex" of water rushing into the Concordia when it capsized. This happened after the crew told them to go to the other side of the ship where lifeboats were being launched, and the passengers ended up trying to walk down a tilting corridor.

Wednesday was the first full day's hearing in the trial, which is being held in a theatre in the Tuscan town of Grosseto and is expected to last into next year. Last week it was postponed by a lawyers' strike.

Lawyers for Schettino said they were making a last-ditch attempt to reach a plea bargain in the case, which could result in a long prison sentence if the captain is convicted.

One of the lawyers, Donato Laino, said the defence wanted a deal in which Schettino pleaded guilty in exchange for a sentence of three years and five months. Schettino risks up to 20 years if found guilty of manslaughter and the other charges.

In May a different judge in pretrial hearings rejected Schettino's first bid for a plea bargain after the prosecution opposed it. But deals have been approved for five other defendants including the helmsman and other ship officers who were on the bridge of the ship with Schettino when it rammed the reef. The five included an official of the Italian cruise company Costa Crociere who was managing the crisis on land.

A judge is expected to rule on Saturday on those defendants' requests for lenient sentences, no longer than about two years. In Italy, sentences are often suspended in the cases of first-time offenders that result in punishments of a a few years or less.

That would leave Schettino, who depicts himself as an innocent scapegoat, as the only defendant risking a long sentence. Some of the 4,200 passengers and crew who were aboard the Concordia said Schettino should not be the only person tried.

"Frankly, I'm not angry with Schettino," said Gianluca Gabrielli, 33, from Rome. "I'm angry with the whole crew. They were smiling at the beginning, but when they realised that there was danger they escaped, abandoning us."

  • Costa Concordia
  • Francesco Schettino

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Concordia Cruise Disaster

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Costa Concordia captain sentenced for deadly wreck

Francesco Schettino, a "reckless idiot" according to prosecutors, had been accused of abandoning ship as it sank while most were still aboard

  • Feb 11, 2015

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Costa Concordia verdict looms: "Reckless" captain to learn fate

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  • Feb 9, 2015

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Prosecutor: Shipwreck captain left victims "without even getting his shoes wet"

Prosecutors ask court to sentence Costa Concordia captain to 26 years in prison for the 2012 shipwreck that killed 32 people

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Shipwreck captain: I wasn't trying to impress lover

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  • Dec 2, 2014

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Costa Concordia completes its final voyage

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Costa Concordia, the Italian cruise ship that sank off the coast of Italy in January 2012, is finally leaving her resting place

Costa Concordia, the Italian cruise ship that sank off the coast of Italy in January 2012, is finally leaving her resting place. The ship is being towed to a port in Genoa, Italy, where it will be salvaged. Sabina Castelfranco reports from Giglio, Italy.

  • Jul 24, 2014

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Costa Concordia making final voyage from disaster site

Cruise liner slowly being towed away from the tiny Italian island where it capsized more than two years ago, killing 32 people

  • Jul 23, 2014

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Crews have finally completed the salvage and are towing the Costa Concorida to a scrapyard in Northern Italy

Crews have finally completed the salvage and are towing the Costa Concorida to a scrapyard in Northern Italy. Work to remove the ship cost more than $2 billion. Norah O'Donnell reports.

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The shipwreck - the target of one of the biggest maritime salvage operations in history - is now floating about 3-feet off the platform

Time-lapse video shows the raising of the wrecked Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia from the underwater platform it has been resting on for the past year.

  • Jul 15, 2014

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Off the coast of Italy, Costa Concordia is one step closer to being towed to its final resting place

Off the coast of Italy, Costa Concordia is one step closer to being towed to its final resting place. The ship ran aground more than years ago, killing 32 people. Mark Phillips reports from Giglio, Italy.

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It took a massive operation and $1.5 billion to refloat the Costa Concordia cruise ship

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  • Jul 14, 2014

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Costa Concordia cruise ship to be scrapped

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The night of this tragic event happened in real time for me as the news broke here in the United States. How could something like this happen? It didn’t make any sense. I was working and publishing news items to our forums and the home page of Cruise Addicts . It still is hard to believe that such an event could unfold as it did. Sadly, this incredibly poor narrative is not fiction but a real-life catastrophe constructed by a myriad of poor choices.

The events unfolded on the night of January 2012, leaving an indelible mark on history as the cruise ship Costa Concordia sank in Italy.

Costa Concordia Sinking

This ship sank in 2012, but the echoes of the Costa Concordia tragedy still resonate powerfully. The global attention it seized was not just due to the grandeur it once boasted but also to the gripping fear and loss that ensued—the Costa Concordia sinking bearing witness to a maritime misadventure oscillating between human error and valiant rescue endeavors.

Key Takeaways

  • The Costa Concordia disaster riveted the world when a maritime marvel succumbed to a tragic end.
  • Focusing on first-hand reports, I narrate the hardships faced by over 4,200 individuals aboard as the cruise ship disaster unfolded.
  • I reflect on the legal aftermath and environmental burden that the Italian cruise ship wreck incurred, denoting a cautionary chapter in sea travel .
  • By dissecting the catalysts and consequences, the essence of the costa concordia tragedy is scrutinized through a lens of gravity and compassion.
  • The enduring legacy of the Costa Concordia sinking is an indispensable lesson for maritime safety and emergency management.

The Catastrophic Voyage of Costa Concordia

Costa Concordia

Today, the Costa Concordia cruise ship bears a tale of caution, a lesson submerged in the depths of nautical annals. Before the concordia shipwreck turned the vessel into a byword for disaster, let me guide you through its glory days—the triumph of engineering and luxury it once represented.

Launching of Italy’s Largest Cruise Liner

The Costa Concordia was a testament to the prowess of its owner, Costa Crociere, a subsidiary of the world-renowned Carnival Corporation & PLC. Officially launched in 2005, this floating behemoth overtook the historic Titanic in size, spanning an impressive 951 feet. With an opulent passenger capacity of 3,780, it heralded a new era of maritime luxury.

From Maiden Voyage to a Mediterranean Staple

Her maiden voyage in July 2006 foreshadowed what was meant to be a long-standing Mediterranean staple. The Costa Concordia, a haven of lavishness with sumptuous offerings, including four swimming pools, a casino, and a colossal spa, set the gold standard for luxury cruising . The seven-day Mediterranean sojourns quickly became iconic , treating guests to the enchanting shores of Italy, France, and Spain. This level of grandeur was unparalleled until the night it all ended in calamity.

Stay with me as I continue to reveal the latest updates on the Costa Concordia update and explore how this once majestic vessel, now synonymous with one of the most harrowing concordia shipwreck incidents in recent history, serves as an indelible mark on the chronicles of the Concordia cruise line .

Costa Concordia’s Ill-fated Evening: A Timeline of Events

sinking of the Costa Concordia

The tragic story that unfolded during the sinking of the Costa Concordia has etched itself into maritime history as a series of grave errors and unfortunate events. I remember the images of the luxury liner, a symbol of elegance and joy, which turned into a harrowing spectacle of fear and panic as it capsized off the Italian coast. To understand the gravity of that fateful night’s situation, let’s walk through the timeline that led to the Costa Concordia incident .

It all started as a routine voyage. On January 13, 2012, passengers boarded the Concordia, anticipating the exciting journey ahead. Unbeknownst to them, this trip would end drastically different than they had imagined. The first sign of trouble came when the cruise ship initiated a “salute” maneuver near Giglio Island, deviating from its original course. The salute—a maritime tradition where ships pass close to shore in a display of honor or greeting—proved fateful for the Concordia, as it encountered unforeseen rocks.

The language barrier between the Italian captain and the Indonesian helmsman contributed to a critical steering error. In an attempt to redirect the vessel, things took a turn for the worse. By approximately 9:45 pm, a 174-foot gash was torn into the ship’s port side , causing seawater to rush into several compartments. Among these was the engine room , the beating heart of the ship’s operations. As the engines faltered and power was lost, the cruise ship concordia update turned dire—the vessel started to list severely, escalating to an emergency.

With the sinking Concordia losing its battle against the relentless water, an evacuation was not just necessary but imperative. The crew and passengers faced a night of uncertainty, forced to abandon the comforts of their cabins for lifeboats and, in some instances, into the open sea . As the evacuation unfolded, the stark contrast between the sinking of the Costa Concordia and the luxury it stood for before the accident couldn’t have been more pronounced.

Thanks to the valiant efforts of the crew and rescuers, the evacuation saw many saved, but the ship would rest, tilted and defeated by the rocks that claimed it, by 12:00 am on January 14th. Before the accident, the Costa Concordia represented the pinnacle of cruise luxury. After the tragedy, it became an emblem of the potential peril sea voyages could encounter and a catalyst for change in maritime safety regulations.

In my carnal pursuit of sharing this catastrophe’s account, I am reminded of how closely we skirt the edges between safety and danger and the immeasurable responsibility of those commanding such grand vessels. The sinking of the Costa Concordia , a spectacle of disbelief and sorrow, is a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of security in the face of human error and natural forces.

Diving Into the Depths: The Sinking of Costa Concordia

Exactly What happened to the Costa Concordia? | 19

Following the collision, the vessel was left without power, its rudder lifeless, and its fate sealed as it drifted helplessly back toward Giglio Island. What was initially passed off as a simple electrical issue quickly spiraled into desperate evacuation attempts. By 11:20 pm, the ship’s command had been vacated , with Captain Schettino later alleging an accidental fall into a lifeboat—an incident that has since fueled worldwide critique and disbelief.

The severity of the ship’s tilt demanded adaptability and courage, cornerstones of the human spirit in the face of calamity. Approximately 300 souls remained onboard as the last crew detached, spurring a flurry of survival strategies, including climbing down ladders in a landscape where decks had transformed into walls.

  • Initial internal assessment recognizes critical damage.
  • The grounded rudder and winds maneuver Costa Concordia toward the island
  • An unplanned, perilous starboard keelover begins.
  • Evacuation attempts exacerbated by misinformation and a severe list
  • Capitulation of command by Captain Schettino and subsequent crew departure
  • Rescue efforts transition to atypical escape methodologies

Costa Concordia today update : As we revisit the site of mourning and memory, it is paramount to reflect on the future of oceanic travel and how each vessel that bravely glides across the sea’s skin carries with it the legacy of those 32 lives, a legacy that the industry must honor through uncompromising standards of safety, vigilance, and humanity.

The Aftermath: Rescue Efforts and Survival Stories

Exactly What happened to the Costa Concordia? | 19

Following the unprecedented Italian cruise ship crash , the small community on Giglio Island swiftly became a rescue operation hub. Concordia ship now lay crippled, its metallic carcass a stark contrast to the tranquil waters that it had disturbed. As a journalist, I stand amidst the remnants of what was once a testament to luxury, now a subject to one of Italy’s most impactful maritime rescues.

Heroic Acts Amidst Chaos

The unfolding hours saw a flurry of life-saving efforts as cruise ship Concordia’s latest news reported how crew members and locals exemplified extraordinary courage. Accounts of a musician forfeiting his chance of escape for others and local fishermen navigating treacherous waters to rescue passengers have been etched into the annals of heroic acts the world should never forget.

Survivors’ Harrowing Escape

The echoes of the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster are still heard in the survivors’ stories. Harrowing tales of passengers leaping into the frigid sea or being guided down darkened chord ladders resonate with a chilling reminder of the night’s terror. These vivid recollections paint a portrait of survival against staggering odds, framed by a backdrop of an Italian cruise ship accident that will forever be remembered.

As I stand here today, the once majestic beacon of the cruise industry lies dormant. The Italian cruise ship crash changed the physical landscape and the lives of all involved. Yet, from the depths of despair, the strength of the human spirit has shone brightly, reminding us of the power of unity in the face of disaster.

Navigating Through Tragedy: Captain Francesco Schettino’s Role

Captain Francesco Schettino

Captain Schettino , often referred to as Captain Costa Concordia , has been pivotal in the narrative, facing widespread vilification for decisions that led to the shipwreck. The gravity of the captain’s choices that fateful night is anchored deeply in the consciousness of the maritime industry and those affected by the disaster.

Accused of causing the wreck by maneuvering the colossal vessel too close to Giglio Island for a display of acknowledgment known widely among mariners as a maritime salute, Costa Concordia Schettino was also censured for abandoning the afflicted ship. His actions—or lack thereof—brought about life-altering consequences for many aboard. Delving into the details of Schettino’s conduct before and after the collision reveals multi-faceted insights into the harrowing event.

During his trial, which I followed closely, the Concordia shipwreck captain faced severe backlash for mishandling the situation, culminating in a conviction for manslaughter and causing a maritime disaster. The court of public opinion was no kinder than the Italian legal system; Schettino infamously became emblematic of imprudent leadership at sea. His duties to the passengers and crew bound by trust and safety were, by adjudged accounts, all but neglected.

In the wake of the trial, reflections on Captain Schettino ‘s pivotal role entailed recognizing the stark contrast between his actions and the exemplary behavior expected of individuals in his command. It points to an overarching and pressing need for stringent adherence to the tenets of maritime conduct and the weighty responsibility resting on ship commanders. The ramifications of Captain Schettino’s decisions on that doomed voyage endure, as poignant lessons in accountability ripple through communities and industries worldwide.

Understanding the Magnitude: Costa Concordia Today Update

Exactly What happened to the Costa Concordia? | 19

Reflecting on the Costa Concordia as it stands now, the remnants of the once majestic cruise liner continue to captivate and serve as a poignant emblem of a maritime catastrophe. The Costa Concordia wreck site evokes powerful emotions and is steeped in environmental concerns. After the Concordia ship sank , intensive efforts were necessary to secure the area and prevent further harm to the fragile marine ecosystem.

As an observer and reporter, I’ve seen firsthand how a once vibrant vacation remnant is now a silent watchdog, ensuring the sanctuary’s safety. The sunken cruise ship , a convergence of human tragedy and ecological peril, has become an inadvertent monument to both.

The Environmental Repercussions

The Costa Concordia shipwreck , challenging as it was, brought together numerous stakeholders, from environmentalists to engineers, all dedicated to mitigating its impact. Introducing oil booms and proactive fuel extraction efforts displayed an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.

Costa Concordia Wreck Site Now

The Costa Concordia wreck site resonates with a quiet that belies the intense dramas once played out on its decks. What remains is a powerful testament to humanity’s respect for nature in the face of disruptive events. Submerged in the Mediterranean’s depths, the vessel no longer traverses the world’s waters but has embarked on an eternal, anchored existence.

Sunken but Not Forgotten: Commemorating the 32 Lives Lost

Commemorating the 32 Lives Lost

We solemnly remember the concordia deaths that irreversibly marked the Costa Concordia’s profound tragedy. My thoughts persistently drift to the 32 individuals whose lives were unjustly claimed by the cruise wreck, a cruise ship disaster Italy will never forget. The impact of the fatalities, including those termed as Costa Concordia fatalities , resonates beyond mere statistics; it is a narrative of lives cut short and dreams left unfulfilled.

The echoes of the catastrophe stretch into the present, as each anniversary passes with the gravity of loss undiminished. Mindful of the human cost, it’s not just about recounting the Costa Concordia deaths but also about preserving the memory of each person who perished in the dark waters of that fateful night.

Their stories endure not as an impersonal tally but as intimate portraits of lives intertwined with mine. They are reminders that there is a beloved child, a cherished spouse, a valued colleague behind every number—the absence of whom leaves an irreplaceable void. Thus, I commit to ensuring that while the Costa Concordia may have sunk, the souls aboard will never fade into the forgotten depths.

Legal Tides: The Trials and Sentencing Post-Disaster

Exactly What happened to the Costa Concordia? | 19

As the wake of the Costa Concordia tragedy continued to spread, the legal repercussions for those involved were swift and significant, signaling a new chapter of accountability following the maritime disaster. The latest news on Costa Concordia reverberated through the corridors of justice as several crew members faced the consequences of that fateful night.

Crew Members Held Accountable

Addressing the negligence that led to the catastrophic event, the Italian courts held crew members and the crisis coordinator accountable. Four crew members and the ship’s crisis coordinator pled guilty to various offenses in a critical Concordia cruise ship salvage update. Their sentences, marked by the gravity of the incident, were relatively short but underscored collective culpability.

The Fate of Captain Schettino

Regarding the Costa Concordia captain’s latest news, the harrowing saga of Captain Francesco Schettino reached its legal conclusion. Denying a plea bargain, the courts charged Schettino with manslaughter, causing a maritime disaster, and abandoning a ship, among other offenses, yielding a severe sentence that resonated within the maritime community. My following table lays out the critical details of the sentences served in the aftermath of the Italian cruise ship wreck :

Reviving the Reef: Environmental Concerns and Salvage Operations

The wreck of the cruise ship Costa Concordia, enters in the port of Voltri pushed by tug boats.

When the Costa Concordia succumbed to the sea, it represented a Concordia cruise disaster and raised immediate environmental concerns the Costa Concordia area had to contend with. The marine sanctuary, which could have suffered irreversible damage due to the cruise liner sinking in 2012 , desperately needed protective measures. The salvage operations Concordia undertook were a race against time to minimize the ecological footprint of the wreckage.

My involvement in the Costa Concordia scrapping process allowed me to witness first-hand the sophistication and the scale of operations required to counteract the damage. Approximately 500 international salvage experts collaborated on what would become a historic mission, utilizing advanced underwater platforms and cranes to parry further environmental injury.

The 19-hour undertaking to upright the enormous vessel was just the beginning. It was a ballet of engineering prowess and environmental precaution. Salvage crews worked meticulously, mindful of the surrounding marine life. The culmination of this effort was a day I still clearly recall: the day the remains were towed to Genoa in July 2014. It was a bittersweet chapter, where success in our salvage task also marked the end of what was once a grand vessel.

As a journalist covering this unprecedented event, I saw the Costa Concordia transform from a luxury symbol to a stark reminder of nature’s fragility. Below, I’ve detailed some of the techniques used in the salvage operations that highlight both the complexity and the necessity of this environmental feat:

  • Use of sponsons to refloat the Concordia for her final journey to the scrapyard
  • Installation of subsea platforms to ensure stability during the operation
  • Water treatment systems to prevent the spread of contaminants during the scrapping process

It’s easy to remember the salacious details of the disaster – the Concordia cruise disaster , if you will – but as a witness and chronicler of these events, my focus has always returned to the environmental impact. The work done by salvage teams was not just a technical achievement but a concerted effort to preserve a vulnerable ecosystem that had the misfortune of being the stage for this tragedy.

Ripples Across the Sea: Costa Concordia’s Impact on Cruise Safety

Safety Tips for Your First Cruise

The Costa Concordia calamity, one of Italy’s most devastating cruise ship crash events, sparked an urgent overhaul in what we now call cruise safety . I observed this transformation first-hand, noting the industry’s swift move to implement rigorous changes, all with the aim of averting a similar Costa disaster from happening again. These reforms ranged from revisiting antiquated practices to introducing cutting-edge innovations that elevated the safety standards on cruise ships. Consequently, the tragic Italian cruise accident became a pivotal point in maritime history, revolutionizing how safety was prioritized aboard these seafaring giants.

To understand the tangible changes post-Costa disaster, I delved into the modifications in training and regulations. The Carnival sinking cruise ship 2012 incident underscored the need for more intensive crew training, emergency preparedness, and passenger safety briefings. These revisions were not mere suggestions but mandatory steps to solidify trust in cruise vacations for passengers and crew members alike.

Let’s delve into the specifics — the cruise industry witnessed the birth of new lifesaving protocols and evacuation drills that were now to be completed before a ship could even leave the harbor. Crew members underwent extensive training, focusing on their assigned roles and emergency response techniques. It was evident that the prior status quo could no longer stand, with the cruise ship crash Italy event catalyzing change.

Here’s a compiled list of safety advancements post- Costa Concordia disaster :

  • Introduction of mandatory muster drill before departure
  • Improved ship tracking and real-time data analysis
  • Enhanced hull integrity and multiple watertight compartments
  • In-depth damage control training for crew
  • Higher standards for bridge team management

To illustrate the difference these initiatives made, I present a comparative analysis of safety measures before and after the Italian cruise accident that marked 2012:

As the maritime community continues to remember the lives lost during the 2012 carnival sinking cruise ship tragedy, the commitment to perpetuating these enhanced cruise safety practices remains unwavering. To this day, the impact of the Costa Concordia disaster reverberates through every drill performed, every check made, and every safety briefing held on cruise ships roaming the seas . Such a colossal event reshaped an industry, and as we move forward, it steadfastly informs a global mission to secure the safety and enjoyment of passengers and crew for generations to come.

Costa Concordia Disaster – FAQ

What happened to the costa concordia cruise ship.

The Costa Concordia cruise ship ran aground off the Tuscan island of Giglio, causing a shipwreck and a tragic maritime disaster.

How many people died in the Costa Concordia tragedy?

Thirty-two people lost their lives when the Costa Concordia cruise ship struck a reef and subsequently began to sink in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

What were the circumstances leading to the evacuation of the Costa Concordia?

The Costa Concordia began taking on water after it struck a reef, leading to a chaotic evacuation process to save the lives of passengers and crew members.

Who owned the Costa Concordia cruise ship?

The luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia was owned by Costa Cruises, an Italian cruise line company.

What were the repercussions for the captain and crew of the Costa Concordia?

The captain and some crew members faced legal proceedings, including charges of manslaughter and abandoning ship, with potential sentences of years in prison for their roles in the tragedy.

What was the outcome of the salvage operation for the Costa Concordia?

The salvage workers successfully executed the most significant maritime salvage operation in history to refloat and remove the Costa Concordia from its resting place off the coast of Giglio Island.

When did the Costa Concordia disaster take place?

The Costa Concordia tragedy occurred on January 13, 2012, when the cruise liner struck a reef and began to sink.

What led to the Costa Concordia running aground?

The Costa Concordia sailed too close to the island of Giglio, ultimately striking a reef and causing the ship to start taking on water.

How did the evacuation of the Costa Concordia unfold?

After the Costa Concordia lost power and started listing, the Coast Guard and rescue teams were mobilized to order the evacuation of the ship, leading to a challenging and chaotic evacuation process in the aftermath of the shipwreck.

What role did the Costa Crociere’s crisis coordinator play in the Costa Concordia tragedy?

The crisis coordinator for Costa Crociere was involved in the aftermath of the shipwreck, coordinating response efforts and communication in the midst of the tragic events surrounding the Costa Concordia.

Final Thoughts

Looking back at the events, the Italian cruise ship that sank displayed a spectrum of human experiences—from oversight, haste, and fear to valor, altruism, and fortitude. The aftermath did not just account for the salvage and inquiry but also witnessed sweeping reforms aimed at fortifying maritime protocols. As a result, the cruise ship that sank in Italy in 2012 has been a catalyst for revised safety standards that Carnival and other cruise lines have diligently implemented, often surpassing the basics to ensure such catastrophes are not repeated.

The groundwork laid by this unfortunate event serves as a fulcrum for improved oversight within the maritime domain, reassuring those who venture across the seas. Indeed, the legacy of the Costa Concordia continues to resonate, a steadfast reminder of the cruise industry has responsibility to uphold the highest regard for passenger safety, environmental stewardship, and preparedness.

  • #CostaConcordia
  • #cruisenews
  • #cruiseship
  • #cruiseshipdisaster

John Shallo

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Passenger Who Suffers PTSD After Deadly Crash of Costa Concordia Cruise Ship Awarded $105K

A passenger on the Costa Concordia cruise ship that crashed in 2012, killing 32, will receive 92,700 euros, equal to just over $105,000, after a court ruled that his post-traumatic stress disorder was caused by the accident and that the Costa Crociere cruise line was financially liable.

On January 13, 2012, the Costa Concordia was at sea with about 4,200 passengers when the captain, Francesco Schettino, who is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence handed down in 2015 for manslaughter, brought the ship too close to Giglio Island off the coast of Tuscany, causing it to crash into a reef and tip over.

Ernesto Carusotti, the passenger suing the cruise line owned by U.S.-based Carnival Cruise Lines, was represented by the Italian consumer group Codacons.

The Costa cruise line said in Schettino's trial the company had paid about 84 million euros (approximately $95.3 million) in a compensation package to passengers, crew and relatives of those who died on the ship, which some people denied in order to pursue lawsuits instead.

Schettino, who was accused of misleading the cruise line and Coast Guard about the severity of the accident while requesting assistance, said months after the accident that he was on the phone when the crash occurred.

It was alleged at the time that Schettino did not activate the alarm for passengers and crew to abandon ship until about an hour after he should have, leaving his hundreds of crew members confused about how to protect themselves and the passengers while the ship was listing and taking on water.

Costa Concordia, Cruise Ship Crash, PTSD, Italy

In a statement to the Associated Press, Costa said it reserved the right to respond "through the most appropriate channels."

Prosecutors say Schettino intentionally brought the ship too close to shore in a stunt and then abandoned the listing liner while passengers and crew were still aboard.

According to Codacons, Genoa Judge Paolo Gibelli ruled that Costa Crociere was liable not only for the shipwreck itself but for the traumatic experience that Carusotti suffered. The court ordered Costa to pay Carusotti 77,000 euros (about $87,300) in damages plus 15,692 euros (about $17,800) in legal fees.

  • Costa Concordia Captain Gets 16 Years for Disaster
  • Costa Concordia Re-Floated
  • Italy Prepares to Refloat the Costa Concordia
  • Concordia Finally Heads for Scrapyard After Massive Salvage Operation
  • The Hidden Horrors of Cruise Ships

In a statement, Codacons said the award was a "very important victory" since it showed the "total incongruity" of Costa's compensation package to most of the victims.

The capsized Concordia was eventually righted from the reef and then floated to the mainland where it was turned into scrap.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Costa Concordia, Cruise Ship Crash, PTSD, Italy

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Costa Cruises accepts $1.3 million fine over Concordia disaster

Costa Cruises, the unit of Carnival Corp that owned and operated the capsized cruise liner Costa Concordia, has accepted a $1.31 million fine to settle potential criminal charges concerning last year's deadly accident off the coast of Italy, a company spokesman said on Wednesday.

Costa Cruises had been under investigation as the employer of the crew of the Concordia when it hit a rock off Tuscany in January last year, killing 32 people.

The prosecution is satisfied with the ruling by the preliminary court judge, Valeria Montesarchio, and will not appeal, prosecution sources said, adding that the fine was close to the maximum allowed by law.

The settlement means Costa will not face a criminal trial and ends its potential liability with the state of Italy, but not private lawsuits brought by passengers or crew, the prosecution sources said.

"This is a balanced decision," Costa Cruises lawyer Marco De Luca said after the ruling. "It is the most reasonable solution."

The company spokesman confirmed De Luca's comments, originally made to Italian media, and said the company had no further statement.

A criminal trial is expected to proceed for the individuals targeted by prosecutors.

Captain Francesco Schettino remains accused of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning the ship, which was carrying more than 4,000 passengers and crew, and could face up to 20 years in jail.

Schettino steered the ship close to shore in a maneuver known as a "salute", striking a rock that tore a gash in its hull. The 290-metre-long (950 ft) Concordia came to rest on its side, half submerged, where it now rests awaiting salvage.

Five other members of the crew including Schetttino's first officer, and three members of a crisis unit set up by Costa to handle the accident, also face indictment and trial.

Costa Cruises will, as previously announced, seek damages for the loss of the vessel as a civil party in the criminal case when it begins, De Luca said.

Flannels or FlipFlops

Flannels or FlipFlops

13 of The Worst Cruise Ship Disasters

Posted: March 11, 2024 | Last updated: March 11, 2024

<p>Have you ever wondered what could go wrong on a luxurious cruise ship? With its grand buffets, endless entertainment, and picturesque views, it may seem like a floating paradise. However, beneath the glitz and glamour lies a dark history of disasters that have struck some of the most iconic cruise ships in the world.</p> <p>From catastrophic engine failures to deadly onboard fires, cruise ships have faced numerous challenges that have left passengers and crew members in grave danger. But what are the worst cruise ship disasters in history? How did they happen, and what lessons can be learned from these tragic events?</p>

Have you ever wondered what could go wrong on a luxurious cruise ship? With its grand buffets, endless entertainment, and picturesque views, it may seem like a floating paradise. However, beneath the glitz and glamour lies a dark history of disasters that have struck some of the most iconic cruise ships in the world.

From catastrophic engine failures to deadly onboard fires, cruise ships have faced numerous challenges that have left passengers and crew members in grave danger. But what are the worst cruise ship disasters in history? How did they happen, and what lessons can be learned from these tragic events?

<p>The most famous and well-known of all cruise ship disasters, the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 was a tragic event that claimed the lives of over 1,500 passengers and crew members. The unsinkable luxury liner struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City, leading to its demise.</p><p>The Titanic disaster was caused by a combination of factors, including inadequate safety measures, poor decision-making, and overconfidence in the ship’s engineering capabilities. This tragedy brought about significant changes in maritime safety regulations.</p>

Titanic Disaster

The most famous and well-known of all cruise ship disasters, the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 was a tragic event that claimed the lives of over 1,500 passengers and crew members. The unsinkable luxury liner struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City, leading to its demise.

The Titanic disaster was caused by a combination of factors, including inadequate safety measures, poor decision-making, and overconfidence in the ship’s engineering capabilities. This tragedy brought about significant changes in maritime safety regulations.

<p>In 2012, the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground off the coast of Isola del Giglio in Tuscany, resulting in the death of 32 passengers and crew members. The disaster also had a major economic impact. The Costa Concordia was one of the largest and most expensive cruise ships in the world, with a price tag of $570 million. Its loss not only caused financial losses for the company but also affected the local economy and tourism in the area.</p><p>Additionally, the rescue operation was one of the largest and most complex maritime operations ever carried out. It required a multinational effort involving divers, helicopters, and specialized equipment to safely evacuate over 4,000 passengers and crew members from the partially submerged ship. The Costa Concordia disaster was primarily due to human error. The captain’s negligence and lack of proper emergency procedures contributed to this tragedy. It also highlighted the need for stricter regulations on ship navigation and safety protocols.</p>

Costa Concordia Disaster

In 2012, the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground off the coast of Isola del Giglio in Tuscany, resulting in the death of 32 passengers and crew members. The disaster also had a major economic impact. The Costa Concordia was one of the largest and most expensive cruise ships in the world, with a price tag of $570 million. Its loss not only caused financial losses for the company but also affected the local economy and tourism in the area.

Additionally, the rescue operation was one of the largest and most complex maritime operations ever carried out. It required a multinational effort involving divers, helicopters, and specialized equipment to safely evacuate over 4,000 passengers and crew members from the partially submerged ship. The Costa Concordia disaster was primarily due to human error. The captain’s negligence and lack of proper emergency procedures contributed to this tragedy. It also highlighted the need for stricter regulations on ship navigation and safety protocols.

<p>On December 20, 1987, the Philippine passenger ferry Dona Paz collided with an oil tanker, resulting in a massive fire that claimed the lives of over 4,000 people. The lack of life jackets and overcrowding on board contributed to the high death toll.</p><p>The Dona Paz disaster was a result of several factors, including a lack of safety regulations, inadequate crew training, and failure to enforce passenger limits. It also exposed the corruption within the Philippine maritime industry. It was discovered that the ferry operator had been operating without a valid license and had bribed government officials to overlook safety violations. This event shed light on the need for stricter regulations and enforcement of laws in the maritime industry, calling for accountability from both vessel operators and government agencies.</p>

Dona Paz Disaster

On December 20, 1987, the Philippine passenger ferry Dona Paz collided with an oil tanker, resulting in a massive fire that claimed the lives of over 4,000 people. The lack of life jackets and overcrowding on board contributed to the high death toll.

The Dona Paz disaster was a result of several factors, including a lack of safety regulations, inadequate crew training, and failure to enforce passenger limits. It also exposed the corruption within the Philippine maritime industry. It was discovered that the ferry operator had been operating without a valid license and had bribed government officials to overlook safety violations. This event shed light on the need for stricter regulations and enforcement of laws in the maritime industry, calling for accountability from both vessel operators and government agencies.

<p>In 1991, the Italian ferry Moby Prince collided with an oil tanker in Livorno harbor, resulting in a fire that killed 140 people. This disaster was caused by a series of navigational errors and miscommunication between the two ships.</p><p>The Moby Prince disaster highlighted the importance of proper communication and coordination among ships at sea. It also brought attention to the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations, especially in heavily trafficked areas.</p>

Moby Prince Disaster

In 1991, the Italian ferry Moby Prince collided with an oil tanker in Livorno harbor, resulting in a fire that killed 140 people. This disaster was caused by a series of navigational errors and miscommunication between the two ships.

The Moby Prince disaster highlighted the importance of proper communication and coordination among ships at sea. It also brought attention to the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations, especially in heavily trafficked areas.

<p>Formerly known as the Knock Nevis, the Seawise Giant was once the largest ship in the world. However, in 1988, during its first voyage under its new name, it collided with a tanker and caught fire, causing extensive damage to the ship.</p><p>The Seawise Giant disaster was due to poor visibility and miscommunication between the two ships. It also raised concerns about the safety of ultra-large vessels and prompted stricter regulations for their operation.</p>

Sea wise Giant Disaster

Formerly known as the Knock Nevis, the Seawise Giant was once the largest ship in the world. However, in 1988, during its first voyage under its new name, it collided with a tanker and caught fire, causing extensive damage to the ship.

The Seawise Giant disaster was due to poor visibility and miscommunication between the two ships. It also raised concerns about the safety of ultra-large vessels and prompted stricter regulations for their operation.

<p>In 1915, the steamship SS Eastland overturned while docked in Chicago, resulting in the deaths of over 800 passengers and crew members. The ship’s design flaws and overcrowding were major contributors to this tragedy.</p><p>The SS Eastland disaster was caused by a combination of issues, including poor design and overloading of the ship beyond its capacity. It also highlighted the need for stricter regulations on passenger vessels and proper safety procedures.</p>

SS Eastland Disaster

In 1915, the steamship SS Eastland overturned while docked in Chicago, resulting in the deaths of over 800 passengers and crew members. The ship’s design flaws and overcrowding were major contributors to this tragedy.

The SS Eastland disaster was caused by a combination of issues, including poor design and overloading of the ship beyond its capacity. It also highlighted the need for stricter regulations on passenger vessels and proper safety procedures.

<p>During the final days of the American Civil War in 1865, the steamboat SS Sultana exploded on the Mississippi River, killing over 1,800 passengers and crew members. The ship was dangerously overcrowded with Union soldiers returning home from war.</p><p>The SS Sultana disaster was a result of <a href="https://eprints.qut.edu.au/9114/1/9114.pdf">greed and negligence</a>, as the ship’s owners were more concerned with profit than passenger safety. It also led to changes in government contracts for the transportation of soldiers.</p>

SS Sultana Disaster

During the final days of the American Civil War in 1865, the steamboat SS Sultana exploded on the Mississippi River, killing over 1,800 passengers and crew members. The ship was dangerously overcrowded with Union soldiers returning home from war.

The SS Sultana disaster was a result of greed and negligence , as the ship’s owners were more concerned with profit than passenger safety. It also led to changes in government contracts for the transportation of soldiers.

<p>In 1915, during World War I, the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine, resulting in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people. The tragedy sparked international outrage and played a significant role in the United States joining the war.</p><p>The RMS Lusitania disaster was primarily caused by the decision to sail through a known war zone, despite warnings from the British government. It also highlighted the dangers of <a href="https://frenzhub.com/the-best-carnival-cruise-ships/">passenger ships</a> being used for wartime purposes.</p>

RMS Lusitania Disaster

In 1915, during World War I, the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine, resulting in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people. The tragedy sparked international outrage and played a significant role in the United States joining the war.

The RMS Lusitania disaster was primarily caused by the decision to sail through a known war zone, despite warnings from the British government. It also highlighted the dangers of passenger ships being used for wartime purposes.

<p>During World War II, the German ship MV Wilhelm Gustloff was sunk by a Soviet submarine, resulting in the deaths of over 9,000 passengers and crew members. The majority of those on board were civilians fleeing from the advancing Red Army.</p><p>The MV Wilhelm Gustloff disaster was a result of wartime circumstances and poor decision-making by both sides. It also brought to light the tragedy of <a href="https://frenzhub.com/the-best-carnival-cruise-ships/">civilian casualties</a> in war and sparked debate over the legality of targeting civilian ships.</p>

MV Wilhelm Gustloff Disaster

During World War II, the German ship MV Wilhelm Gustloff was sunk by a Soviet submarine, resulting in the deaths of over 9,000 passengers and crew members. The majority of those on board were civilians fleeing from the advancing Red Army.

The MV Wilhelm Gustloff disaster was a result of wartime circumstances and poor decision-making by both sides. It also brought to light the tragedy of civilian casualties in war and sparked debate over the legality of targeting civilian ships.

<p class="text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]">On the night of September 7th, 1934, the SS Morro Castle caught fire just off the coast of New Jersey. The ship had departed from Havana on its return journey to New York when a fire broke out in the first-class writing room. The crew was unable to contain the fire, which quickly spread throughout the ship due to high winds.</p><p class="text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]">The disaster was made worse by the fact that many of the passengers and crew were unprepared for such an emergency. The captain of the SS Morro Castle had not conducted proper safety drills and many of the lifeboats were not able to be released due to rust and disrepair. This led to a chaotic and panicked evacuation, resulting in the loss of 137 lives, and many passengers were left stranded on board as the fire engulfed the vessel.</p>

SS Morro Castle Fire (1934)

On the night of September 7th, 1934, the SS Morro Castle caught fire just off the coast of New Jersey. The ship had departed from Havana on its return journey to New York when a fire broke out in the first-class writing room. The crew was unable to contain the fire, which quickly spread throughout the ship due to high winds.

The disaster was made worse by the fact that many of the passengers and crew were unprepared for such an emergency. The captain of the SS Morro Castle had not conducted proper safety drills and many of the lifeboats were not able to be released due to rust and disrepair. This led to a chaotic and panicked evacuation, resulting in the loss of 137 lives, and many passengers were left stranded on board as the fire engulfed the vessel.

<p>In 2014, the South Korean passenger ferry MV Sewol capsized and sank, killing over 300 people, mostly high school students on a field trip. The disaster was caused by a combination of factors, including <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinking_of_MV_Sewol">overloading of cargo</a> and failure to properly secure it.</p><p>The MV Sewol disaster brought attention to the issue of lax safety regulations and corruption in the shipping industry. It also led to changes in emergency response procedures and stricter enforcement of passenger limits on ferries.</p>

MV Sewol Disaster

In 2014, the South Korean passenger ferry MV Sewol capsized and sank, killing over 300 people, mostly high school students on a field trip. The disaster was caused by a combination of factors, including overloading of cargo and failure to properly secure it.

The MV Sewol disaster brought attention to the issue of lax safety regulations and corruption in the shipping industry. It also led to changes in emergency response procedures and stricter enforcement of passenger limits on ferries.

<p>In August 1991, the Greek cruise ship Oceanos began taking on water and eventually sank off the coast of South Africa. All passengers were successfully evacuated, but this disaster highlighted the negligence and lack of training by the crew.</p><p>The crew members were not properly trained to handle emergencies, resulting in chaos and confusion during the evacuation process. This lack of preparation led to delays in alerting passengers and executing a timely evacuation. Despite encountering rough seas and high winds, the captain did not follow standard <a href="https://savvyolu.com/dangerous-beaches-in-the-world/">safety protocols</a> such as securing watertight doors and properly informing the passengers of the situation. This ultimately led to the ship sinking faster than expected.</p>

Oceanos Disaster

In August 1991, the Greek cruise ship Oceanos began taking on water and eventually sank off the coast of South Africa. All passengers were successfully evacuated, but this disaster highlighted the negligence and lack of training by the crew.

The crew members were not properly trained to handle emergencies, resulting in chaos and confusion during the evacuation process. This lack of preparation led to delays in alerting passengers and executing a timely evacuation. Despite encountering rough seas and high winds, the captain did not follow standard safety protocols such as securing watertight doors and properly informing the passengers of the situation. This ultimately led to the ship sinking faster than expected.

<p>In September 1994, the MS Estonia ferry sank in the Baltic Sea while en route from Tallinn to Stockholm. Over 850 people lost their lives, making it one of the deadliest European maritime disasters. The crew of MS Estonia failed to follow proper emergency procedures, such as closing the watertight doors and activating the distress signal immediately after realizing the ship was taking on water. This delay in response greatly reduced the chances of survival for passengers.</p>

MS Estonia Disaster

In September 1994, the MS Estonia ferry sank in the Baltic Sea while en route from Tallinn to Stockholm. Over 850 people lost their lives, making it one of the deadliest European maritime disasters. The crew of MS Estonia failed to follow proper emergency procedures, such as closing the watertight doors and activating the distress signal immediately after realizing the ship was taking on water. This delay in response greatly reduced the chances of survival for passengers.

<p>According to <a href="https://cruisemarketwatch.com/growth/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cruise Market Watch</a>, in 2024, the market value of the cruise industry is anticipated to be $65.1 billion; up 12.1% from the previous year. This growth isn’t just monetary; passenger numbers are also up to 27.6 million, a 12.3% increase compared to 2023.</p><p><a href="https://www.flannelsorflipflops.com/icon-of-the-seas/">Mega Ships, Mega Problems? The Controversy Surrounding Icon of the Seas.</a></p>

Mega Ships, Mega Problems? The Controversy Surrounding Icon of the Seas.

According to  Cruise Market Watch , in 2024, the market value of the cruise industry is anticipated to be $65.1 billion; up 12.1% from the previous year. This growth isn’t just monetary; passenger numbers are also up to 27.6 million, a 12.3% increase compared to 2023.

<p>Through comprehensive passenger polls and research, we are sharing the most highly rated passenger ships. We will look at the highest-rated cruise ships voted by guests.</p><p><a href="https://frenzhub.com/highly-rated-cruise-ships/">Most Highly Rated Cruise Ships Voted by Passengers</a></p>

Most Highly Rated Cruise Ships Voted by Passengers

Through comprehensive passenger polls and research, we are sharing the most highly rated passenger ships. We will look at the highest-rated cruise ships voted by guests.

<p>Embarking on a Royal Caribbean cruise is like stepping into a world where the extraordinary is ordinary and relaxation meets adventure. With a fleet as vast as the oceans they traverse, each ship in Royal Caribbean’s armada provides travelers with a unique voyage experience.</p><p><a href="https://frenzhub.com/royal-caribbean-cruise/">Planning a Royal Caribbean Cruise? Discover the 5 Top-Rated Cruise Ships with Our Complete Guide</a></p>

Planning a Royal Caribbean Cruise? Discover the 5 Top-Rated Cruise Ships with Our Complete Guide

Embarking on a Royal Caribbean cruise is like stepping into a world where the extraordinary is ordinary and relaxation meets adventure. With a fleet as vast as the oceans they traverse, each ship in Royal Caribbean’s armada provides travelers with a unique voyage experience.

<p>When we hear the word ‘beach’, it often conjures up images of serene sun-drenched shores or exhilarating plunges into the crystal-clear ocean. However, it’s important to recognize that not all beaches offer the same level of enjoyment and safety.</p><p><a href="https://savvyolu.com/dangerous-beaches-in-the-world/">12 of the Most Dangerous Beaches in the World</a></p>

12 of the Most Dangerous Beaches in the World

When we hear the word ‘beach’, it often conjures up images of serene sun-drenched shores or exhilarating plunges into the crystal-clear ocean. However, it’s important to recognize that not all beaches offer the same level of enjoyment and safety.

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IMAGES

  1. 3 Years After Wreck, Remains Of Final Costa Concordia Victim Are Found

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  2. Crashed cruise ship Costa Concordia freed from rocks in first stage of

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  3. Cruise ship disaster: another 5 bodies found, death toll rises to 11

    costa cruise line crash

  4. A look back at the Costa Concordia disaster after 10 years

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  5. Costa Concordia: 2012 Cruise Ship Disaster That Killed 32

    costa cruise line crash

  6. Costa's Flagship Crashes Into Pier and Causes Damage

    costa cruise line crash

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  1. Costa cruise starting for 33,000rs

  2. Italy’s Luxury Cruise Line Costa Cruise is finally here in India

  3. Costa Cruise 🚢 #fighter #hrithikroshan #deepikapadukone #nitingupta #heeraasmani

  4. Mumbai To Goa Cruise Inaugural Journey

  5. КРУИЗ ИЗ ДУБАЯ на 3 дня! Цены, обзор каюты, лайнера Коста Тоскана

  6. Another World Cruise is Coming... and More Cruise News for 2.4.2024

COMMENTS

  1. Costa Concordia disaster

    disaster. /  42.36528°N 10.92167°E  / 42.36528; 10.92167. On 13 January 2012, the seven-year-old Costa Cruises vessel Costa Concordia was on the first leg of a cruise around the Mediterranean Sea when she deviated from her planned route at Isola del Giglio, Tuscany, sailed closer to the island, and struck a rock formation on the sea ...

  2. The Costa Concordia Disaster: How Human Error Made It Worse

    The Italian captain went back onboard the wreck for the first time since the sinking of the cruise ship on January 13, 2012, as part of his trial for manslaughter and abandoning ship.

  3. Costa Concordia disaster

    Costa Concordia disaster, the capsizing of an Italian cruise ship on January 13, 2012, after it struck rocks off the coast of Giglio Island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. More than 4,200 people were rescued, though 32 people died. Several of the ship's crew, notably Capt. Francesco Schettino, were charged with various crimes.

  4. How the Wreck of a Cruise Liner Changed an Italian Island

    A Mass commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Costa Concordia disaster in the San Lorenzo Church on Thursday. ... Mr. Schettino tried to steer the cruise ship toward the port to make evacuation ...

  5. Survivor recounts Costa Concordia cruise capsizing 10 years later

    0:00. 1:35. GIGLIO, Italy — Ten years have passed since the Costa Concordia cruise ship slammed into a reef and capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio. But for the passengers on board and the ...

  6. Ten years on, Costa Concordia shipwreck still haunts survivors

    She is one of the survivors of the shipwreck of the Costa Concordia, the luxury cruise liner that capsized after hitting rocks just off the coast of the small Italian island of Giglio on Jan. 13 ...

  7. 10 years later, Costa Concordia disaster haunts survivors

    Associated Press. Jan. 12, 2022 2 PM PT. GIGLIO, Italy —. Ten years have passed since the Costa Concordia cruise ship slammed into a reef and capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio. But for ...

  8. Costa Concordia is gone, but horror lingers 10 years later

    A ferry boat enters the port of the tiny Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Italy on Thursday is marking the 10th anniversary of the Costa Concordia cruise ship ...

  9. Costa Concordia Victims' Last Moments Revealed

    Victims of the Costa Concordia disaster. The 70-metre gash allowed water to pour in and the ship eventually capsized and came to rest on its side at a location known as Seagull Point, just outside ...

  10. Key dates in Costa Concordia shipwreck, trial and cleanup

    2 of 12 | . FILE— The grounded cruise ship Costa Concordia is seen through a window on the Isola del Giglio island, Italy, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers ...

  11. 10 years later, Costa Concordia survivors share their stories from

    Ten years after the deadly Costa Concordia cruise line disaster in Italy, survivors still vividly remember scenes of chaos they say were like something straight out of the movie "Titanic." NBC ...

  12. Costa Concordia: How cruise ship tragedy transformed an island ...

    The Costa Concordia disaster —. The refloated wreck of the Costa Concordia is towed to the Italian port of Genoa on Sunday, July 27, to be scrapped, ending the ship's final journey two and a ...

  13. 10 years later, Costa Concordia disaster vivid for survivors

    Jan. 12, 2022 12:13 PM PT. GIGLIO, Italy —. Ten years have passed since the Costa Concordia cruise ship slammed into a reef and capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio. But for the passengers ...

  14. Costa Concordia is gone, but horror lingers 10 years later

    FILE— Oil removal ships near the cruise ship Costa Concordia leaning on its side Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, after running aground near the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, last Friday night. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died ...

  15. The Wrecked Costa Concordia Cruise Ship Is Finally Being Towed Away

    The MS Costa Concordia, the Italian cruise ship that killed 32 people when it sank off the coast off Isola del Giglio in 2012, has just been sitting off the Tuscan coast ever since.This morning ...

  16. 10 years later, Costa Concordia disaster vivid for survivors

    2 of 13 | . FILE— The grounded cruise ship Costa Concordia is seen through a window on the Isola del Giglio island, Italy, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. Italy on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, is marking the 10th anniversary of the Concordia disaster with a daylong commemoration, honoring the 32 people who died but also the extraordinary response by the residents of Giglio who took in the 4,200 passengers ...

  17. Costa Concordia trial hears details of victims' deaths

    Wed 17 Jul 2013 13.38 EDT. The Italian court trying the captain of the Costa Concordia has heard grim details about how the 32 victims of the shipwreck drowned, some after diving or falling into ...

  18. Concordia Cruise Disaster

    The Costa Concordia cruise ship that capsized off the coast of Italy in January 2012 is now right-side-up after a 19-hour operation Sep 17, 2013 5 more bodies found in Concordia wreckage

  19. Watch time-lapse video of massive salvage operation to set Costa

    Salvage crews completed setting the wreck of the Costa Concordia upright early Tuesday after a 19-hour-long operation off the Italian island of Giglio, where the huge cruise liner capsized 20 ...

  20. Exactly What Happened To The Costa Concordia?

    Costa Concordia wreck site off Giglio Island, Italy. Following the unprecedented Italian cruise ship crash, the small community on Giglio Island swiftly became a rescue operation hub. Concordia ship now lay crippled, its metallic carcass a stark contrast to the tranquil waters that it had disturbed. As a journalist, I stand amidst the remnants of what was once a testament to luxury, now a ...

  21. Passenger Who Suffers PTSD After Deadly Crash of Costa Concordia Cruise

    A passenger on the Costa Concordia cruise ship that crashed in 2012, killing 32, will receive 92,700 euros, equal to just over $105,000, after a court ruled that his post-traumatic stress disorder ...

  22. Packed Italian court as captain in Concordia disaster hears evidence

    By Claudio Lavanga, NBC News. GROSSETO, Italy -- The captain of the Costa Concordia cruise ship that crashed into an Italian reef appeared in court Monday to hear the evidence against him, while ...

  23. Costa Cruises accepts $1.3 million fine over Concordia disaster

    April 10, 2013, 8:15 AM PDT. By Silvia Ognibene. Costa Cruises, the unit of Carnival Corp that owned and operated the capsized cruise liner Costa Concordia, has accepted a $1.31 million fine to ...

  24. 13 of The Worst Cruise Ship Disasters

    In 2012, the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground off the coast of Isola del Giglio in Tuscany, resulting in the death of 32 passengers and crew members. The disaster also had a major ...