In a tragic accident off the coast of Tuscany on Friday night, Costa Concordia apparently struck a submerged rock. Approximately 3,200 passengers and 1,000 crew were onboard the 120,000-ton ship at the time of the evening accident.
Emergency officials and international media, including BBC report that at least three are dead and dozens are injured. Up to 70 onboard are still missing, according to rescue officials on site.
Most Costa Concordia guests, however, were evacuated safely -- after what some survivors are publicly describing as a "chaotic" situation onboard -- to the Italian island of Giglio by boat and helicopter. The Italian Coast Guard and others from Giglio aided in the rescue.
Dramatic photos taken Saturday morning by national and international media including CNN show the ship lying on its side in the water. Divers were continuing the search for the missing on Saturday morning.
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| Costa Concordia after accident |
It can be difficult for emergency officials and cruise lines to provide accurate passenger totals when guests are rescued individually or in small groups and then whisked to public buildings, churches, personal residences or hospitals without immediate knowledge of their location by authorities; thus, it may take a few days for an accurate head count.
In an early press statement, Costa had said early on that while the evacuation of guests began promptly, the ship’s position made that effort difficult.
Rescued guests told the media that the lights went out onboard several times, that it was difficult to understand the safety instructions in English, and that the situation was chaotic as lifeboats on one side of the ship were inoperable given the ship's severe list. Reportedly, a few people jumped into the sea.
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| Costa Concordia seen from far distance |
At the time of the accident, Costa Concordia had just set sail from Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and was headed to the Italian port of Savona. Launched in 2006, this ship has modern systems and navigational technology.
In a mid-day Saturday statement, "I want to express our deep sorrow for this terrible tragedy,” said Gianni Onorato, president of Costa Crociere. “I am only now able to speak on behalf of Costa because, as you will understand, I have been at Isola del Giglio to be close to the rescue operations.
“First, I would like to thank all the authorities, law enforcement and volunteers who provided assistance to our guests and crew involved in this terrible event," Onorato said.
He said Costa is not able to answer all the immediate questions that the media and public have because authorities are trying with Costa's cooperation to understand the reasons for the incident.
“On the basis of the initial evidence — still preliminary — Costa Concordia, under the command of Master Francesco Schettino, was sailing its regularly scheduled itinerary from Civitavecchia to Savona, Italy, when the ship struck a submerged rock," Onorato said.
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| Costa Concordia |
“Captain Schettino, who was on the bridge at the time, immediately understood the severity of the situation and performed a maneuver intended to protect both guests and crew, and initiated security procedures to prepare for an eventual ship evacuation." He said the operation was complicated by the sudden tilt of the vessel that made disembarkation difficult.
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| Blackbox of Costa Concordia has been taken safe |
“Thanks to the commitment of the agencies coordinated by the Coast Guard, rescue operations have been continuing," Onorato said. "“From the moment we were alerted, Costa mobilized all its resources ashore to assist our guests and crewmembers, and to prevent potential environmental impacts.”
The ship was built in 2004-2005 at a cost of 450 million euros ($570.7 million) at the Fincantieri Sestri shipyard in Italy.
'It seemed just like the Titanic,' say survivors
Although the death toll from Friday’s accident was small in comparison to the 1,514 who perished when the doomed liner went down on April 15, 1912, there are many parallels.
As the Costa Concordia listed amid panicked cries, passengers in evening wear crawled along upended corridors, just as they did in 1912. Meanwhile, a small number of people, apparently unable to reach lifeboats, jumped in desperation into the cold night sea.
Questions about lifeboats were also raised by both disasters. The Titanic carried just 20 lifeboats – in line with regulations at the time – but that was enough for only about half the 2,223 people on board. And one of the chief complaints yesterday was that the crew delayed lowering lifeboats until the ship was listing too heavily for many of them to be released.
American passenger Valerie Ananias, 31, said the scenes on board were ‘exactly’ like those from the Hollywood film Titanic. ‘We were crawling up a hallway with only the light from the life vest flashing,’ added her 61-year-old mother Georgia. ‘We could hear dishes crashing and people slamming against walls.’
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The Concordia’s captain, Francesco Schettino, and first officer Ciro Ambrosio were detained last night at the police station in Porto Santo Stefano on the Italian mainland, as they faced continuing questioning about the events leading up to the disaster. Prosecutors are investigating possible charges of multiple manslaughter and abandoning the ship while passengers were still in danger. Italian media reported that a man and a woman had been located alive on board the stricken ship. It is said the survivors were on the deck levels above the water line and a team of firefighters had been sent on board the vessel to rescue them.
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| Driver of the Ship has been Detained |
Facts about Costa Concordia
Owned by giant US cruise line Carnival, the Costa Concordia is the world’s 26th largest passenger ship.
But despite a 114,500 gross tonnage, 951ft length and a capacity for 3,206 passengers and 1,023 crew, she is a relative minnow compared to the two biggest ocean liners, Oasis of the Seas and its sister ship Allure of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean International. They displace 225,282 tons each and are 1,187ft long. Each accommodates 6,296 passengers and 2,165 crew.
Third is the 155,873-ton Norwegian Epic, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, while Queen Mary 2, flagship of Cunard – like P&O also part of Carnival – is seventh at 151,400 tons.
The top ten liners by size are: 1/2 Allure of the Seas/ Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International. 3 Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line. 4/5 Freedom of the Seas/Liberty of the Seas, Royal Caribbean. 6 Independence of the Seas, Royal Caribbean. 7 Queen Mary 2, Cunard. 8/9 Navigator of the Seas/Mariner of the Seas, Royal Caribbean. 10/11 MSC Fantasia/MSC Splendida, MSC Cruises.
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| Passenger wearing life boat Costa Concordia |
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