Costa Concordia: search of missing people suspended definitevely

The search for the missing has been hampered by rough seas, with emergency officials ending the search in the submerged part of the ship due to the danger to rescue workers.

Costa Concordia continued to shift on its rocky perch, moving 7.5 centimeters (3 inches) in seven hours, cause of rough seas and strong wind, adding to concerns about the stability of the ship’s resting place.

Today at 15.01 – Officer in charge of Grosseto Fire Department Ennio Aquilino, the national civil protection official in charge of the operation Franco Gabrielli together with other organizations involved in the rescue operations, halted the search for missing people in the submerged part of the ship, because there are no more safety conditions for rescuers and divers. Rescuers will keep searching for bodies in the part of the Costa Concordia above water.

Today at 15.22 – Pier Luigi Foschi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Costa Crociere S.p.A., said the wreck is unlikely to return to use. Insurers are likely to declare the total loss of the Costa Concordia. “We aren’t worried about the insurance coverage, what we are worried about is the damage to the image of the company,” Foschi said in the Italian Senate. “We have enough funds to cover loss of ship as well as the claims and costs linked to the accident.”

Today at 15.24 – Pier Luigi Foschi added preliminary operations to prepare fuel removal are ready to start, but likely to remain suspended tomorrow as strong winds are forecast.

Reuters

Rough seas and strong winds today prevented rescue, salvage and anti-pollution operations from taking place in the waters where the Costa Concordia lies capsized