Italy: 130 Indians rescued as luxury liner tips over

New Delhi, Jan 15: At least 130 Indians were rescued on life boats after a luxury cruise liner ran aground and tipped over off the Tuscan coast in Italy, leaving five dead among whom none were Indian.

The 130 Indians are being taken to a safe place and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has ordered immediate action in this regard.

While five bodies have been recovered, six crew members and 11 passengers are still missing. None of them is Indian.

Krishna has instructed Indian Ambassador to Italy Debabatra Saha to reach the accident spot by tomorrow morning to coordinate the rescue operations while two Indian officials have already reached the site.

Krishna told his officials that there is no need for any papers, proof or documentation as the safety of the Indians is the first option.

The luxury liner, Costa Concordia, was carrying more than 4,200 people, many of whom were having dinner at the restaurant, when it hit a reef or rock near the Tuscan island of Giglio.

PTI