Three people are dead and at least 69 people are still missing after 4,200-passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia, owned by Genoa-based Costa Cruises ran aground off Italy’s western coast at Giglio island, Friday evening, less than two hours after leaving port.
Passengers jumped for their lives into the sea and fought over lifejackets in panic, Reuters reports.
It is reported that at the time of an accident 114,500-tonne Costa Concordia was carrying about 3,200 passengers and 1,000 crew members.
It is not excluded that the ship had some kind of technical problem, Coastal Authorities say.
Coast guard vessels and divers were searching the waters around the ship. Officials said rescue efforts were continuing on Saturday after a night-time operation.
Luxury cruise ship is now lying on its side, ripped open by rocks in shallow water 15-20 metres deep, partly submerged.
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World Maritime News Staff, January 14, 2012; Image: DnHR