Three people have been confirmed dead after a luxury cruise ship ran aground off the coast of Tuscany, Italy, late on Friday, sending water pouring in through a 160-foot gash in the hull, and forcing the evacuation of some 4,200 people from the listing vessel early on Saturday.
The first alarm went off about 9.30pm GMT on Friday when the ship hit a rocky reef in shallow waters off the island of Giglio. The Costa Concordia had just begun its voyage from the port of Civitavecchia, en route to its first port of call, Savona, in northwestern Italy on an eight-day pleasure cruise around Mediterranean ports.By the morning, the ship was seen submerged in the water. When the ship ran aground the passengers were instructed to put on life jackets and take to the life rafts but witnesses said they could not get into the boats because the cruise liner was tilting so much the boats could not be lowered into the cold, night sea. The passengers were eventually rescued by one of several boats in the area that came to their aid.
Some 30 people were reported injured, most of them suffering only bruises and hypothermia, but at least two people were reported to be in a serious condition.
The evacuees were taking refuge in schools, hotels, and a church on the tiny island of Giglio – a popular vacation isle about 18 miles off Italy's central west coast.
Those evacuated by helicopter were flown to Grosseto, while others, rescued by local ferries pressed into emergency service, took survivors to the port of Porto Santo Stefano on the nearby mainland.
The Costa Concordia was believed to have set sail with 3,206 passengers and 1,023 crew members.
The first alarm went off about 9.30pm GMT on Friday when the ship hit a rocky reef in shallow waters off the island of Giglio. The Costa Concordia had just begun its voyage from the port of Civitavecchia, en route to its first port of call, Savona, in northwestern Italy on an eight-day pleasure cruise around Mediterranean ports.By the morning, the ship was seen submerged in the water. When the ship ran aground the passengers were instructed to put on life jackets and take to the life rafts but witnesses said they could not get into the boats because the cruise liner was tilting so much the boats could not be lowered into the cold, night sea. The passengers were eventually rescued by one of several boats in the area that came to their aid.
Some 30 people were reported injured, most of them suffering only bruises and hypothermia, but at least two people were reported to be in a serious condition.
The evacuees were taking refuge in schools, hotels, and a church on the tiny island of Giglio – a popular vacation isle about 18 miles off Italy's central west coast.
Those evacuated by helicopter were flown to Grosseto, while others, rescued by local ferries pressed into emergency service, took survivors to the port of Porto Santo Stefano on the nearby mainland.
The Costa Concordia was believed to have set sail with 3,206 passengers and 1,023 crew members.
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