Italy: 8 dead, 4000 rescued after cruise ship runs aground

Rome, Jan 14: At least eight people were killed and more than 4,000 passengers and crew were rescued after a luxury cruise ship ran aground off the Italian coast on Saturday, Jan 14.

According to media reports, the cruise ship carrying more than 4000 passengers had left for Costa Concordia but within two hours of leaving port, it ground to a halt in the sea with a major electrical fault.

Meanwhile, lifeboats, five ships and a helicopters were used in the operation to ensure that all passengers and crew were safely evacuated. Reports said that, some passengers jumped from the steeply listing ship and swam ashore but no injuries were reported.

Reports claimed that, the mishap was took place near the island of Giglio, off the Tuscan coast, after the Costa Concordia, one of the biggest ships in the Costa cruise fleet with 1,500 cabins, had left the port of Civitavecchia and was sailing north to Savonathe. The Captain of the ship said that, due to some electrical fault for which the ship ran aground.

The Costa Concordia, according to a Costa Cruises statement obtained by NBC News, was sailing across the Mediterranean Sea, starting from Civitavecchia with scheduled calls to Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Cagliari and Palermo. About 1,000 passengers of Italian nationality were aboard, as well as more than 500 Germans, about 160 French and about 1,000 crew members.

Meanwhile, the company said it would help the concern authorities to find out what caused the emergency.

OneIndia News