EMERGENCY: Costa Concordia Cruise Ship Disaster Leaves 33 Dead
A major maritime tragedy unfolded off the coast of Italy when the Costa Concordia cruise ship ran aground near the island of Giglio. The luxury liner, carrying over 4,200 passengers and crew, struck a submerged rock today, May 13, tearing a massive gash in its hull. As the ship began to list heavily, a chaotic evacuation followed.
Passengers described scenes of confusion and panic as lifeboats were launched and many were forced to jump into the freezing waters. The disaster ultimately claimed 33 lives, with dozens more injured. Rescue operations continued for days as divers searched the partially submerged vessel for survivors and victims.
Captain Francesco Schettino, who was accused of abandoning ship during the crisis, faced intense criticism and was later convicted of manslaughter and other charges. The disaster raised serious questions about cruise ship safety, emergency preparedness, and the conduct of senior officers at sea.
The Costa Concordia disaster remains one of the worst peacetime maritime accidents in modern European history. It left a lasting scar on the cruise industry and spurred new international regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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