Rescue work resumes on Costa Concordia
Italy’s Environment Minister, Corrado Clini, has said a fuel leak is a major concern
Rescue operations on the stricken Carnival cruise liner Costa Concordia resumed off the coast of Italy as the possibility of still saving lives remains the priority.
Rescue operations had been curtailed a day earlier as the ship shifted by approximately one metre on the rocky outcrop which is preventing it from sinking into much deeper waters. Italian navy divers have now been told to proceed in blowing three holes 18m below the waterline of the capsized vessel to access Deck Four, where five bodies have already been found.
Italy's environment minister has said that there will be an environmental disaster if the 2,300 tons of fuel on the half-submerged cruise ship leaks out. Before it capsized, the ship's fuel tanks were full, having just left the port of Civitavecchia, north of Rome, for a week-long Mediterranean cruise. The area where the ship capsized, off the island of Giglio, is known for its abundance in marine life and coral.
"The environmental risk for the island of Giglio is very, very high," Environment Minister Corrado Clini told reporters in Rome. "The aim is to prevent the fuel leaking out of the ship. We are working to avoid this. It is urgent and time is running out."
Media reports say that Dutch salvage expert SMIT International has been asked to pump out oil prior to the salvage operation taking place. But drilling to access the 15 fuel tanks on board is considered an activity incompatible so long as rescue operations continue.
Meanwhile, captain of the vessel, Francesco Schettino, is still under house arrest. He is accused of not only causing the incident, but also fleeing the vessel before evacuation was complete. His position was not helped by leaked audio tapes of a coastguard official ordering the captain back on board the vessel during the incident. In an initial hearing, Francesco Schettino denied all charges. Investigators are reported to be trying to locate a female cruise ship passenger seen on the bridge of the ship at the time it hit rocks near the Giglio shoreline.
The ship’s owner, Costa Crociere, has stated that the ship diverted from its normal route in order to sail closer to shore prior to the incident and that this was unauthorised by the company.
The ship’s black box containing all navigation data has been seized and is being examined. The investigation continues.
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