Genoa crash update

Reports say that the death toll has now risen to seven, three of which were coastguard officials. Four others were injured, but there are other workers unaccounted for – the search is still on to locate them.

The 40,000t Jolly Nero, of the Italian shipping line, Ignazio Messina & Co, ploughed into the control tower whilst staff in the tower were undergoing a shift change late on Tuesday.

No one knows quite how the incident happened, but there is speculation in the media that the ship lost control due to engine failure. Meanwhile, Associated Press says that Italian prosecutors have placed the vessel’s captain under investigation for alleged manslaughter.

In a statement, Luigi Merlo, president of the Port Authority of Genoa, said: “The port of Genoa is experiencing a dramatic time, a moment of condolences, grief and support for the victims and their families. This is a time to mourn, but also a moment of pride for this community, a great family of thirty thousand people. Thanks to all and please spare a thought, a moment, a prayer for the victims and our community.”

Meanwhile, the vessel owner, Ignazio Messina says that there are no words to express the “consternation and the deep grief for the workers victim of this tragedy and for their families.”

“Messina Group is at total and unconditional disposal of all competent authorities in the common effort to identify as quickly as possible the causes of a tragic accident, [which] occurred during the usual operations of exit from the Port of Genoa.”

The standard port exit procedure is one that Messina Line ships execute with regular frequency assisted by the tugs and with a pilot onboard. An investigation will follow the search and rescue operation being conducted by Questura di Genova.