January 19th, 2012
05:38 AM ET

Decision looms on ending Concordia rescue operations

Rescuers resumed work aboard of the wreck of the cruise liner Costa Concordia Thursday, the Italian Navy said, as a decision loomed about when and if to call off the search for survivors.

Authorities are considering when to change the operation from rescue to recovery, Coast Guard spokesman Cosimo Nicastro said Thursday.

At least 11 people are known to have been killed since the disaster, and about two dozen are still missing.

Declaring the operation to be recovery rather than rescue would allow salvage experts to start pumping fuel out of the ship, potentially averting an environmental catastrophe.

The ship was carrying about 2,300 tons of fuel when it hit rocks off the coast of the Italian island of Giglio on Friday night.

FULL STORY
Post by:
Filed under: Crime • U.S. • World
soundoff (2 Responses)
  1. Ocean trash

    Errr, reef. Turn it into a wildlife habitat with the wave of your wand.

    January 19, 2012 at 6:13 am | Report abuse |
  2. Scottish Mama

    If it is so close to the shore, could they stabilize the ship from shore? (Tether it to shore?) Just to retreive the bodies at least. What if these people are in an air pocket somewhere on board? This is a tragedy on so many levels.
    Condolences to all the families that have lost a love one.

    January 19, 2012 at 10:29 am | Report abuse |
« Back to main