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Today in History: The Sinking of the Costa Concordia

Today in History: The Sinking of the Costa Concordia

By Y.M. Lowy

This week in January of 2012, the Costa Concordia, an Italian cruise ship, tragically capsized off the coast of Isola del Giglio in Tuscany, Italy. The disaster occurred when the vessel deviated from its planned route to perform a sail-by salute near the island, striking an underwater rock formation known as the Scole Rocks. This collision caused the ship to sink partially, resulting in the loss of 32 lives among the 4,229 people on board.

The incident drew widespread international attention, highlighting issues related to maritime safety and the conduct of cruise ship operations. Captain Francesco Schettino was arrested and later convicted on multiple counts, including manslaughter and causing the shipwreck. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison, a sentence upheld by an Italian appeals court in May 2016.

The Costa Concordia disaster remains one of the most significant maritime tragedies in recent history. It underlines the critical importance of strict adherence to navigational protocols and the need for effective emergency response procedures in the cruise industry.

Photo: Shutterstock

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