In a surreal scene that has many eyewitnesses invoking the “Titanic” name, Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground and eventually tipped over after reportedly hitting a sandbar near the island of Giglio the evening of January 13, 2012 -- leaving several dead, injured, more than 50 missing, and many more questions as to how this could happen to a modern luxury liner.
Here’s what we know from published media reports to date: Three people are confirmed dead after a cruise ship carrying more than 4,000 people ran aground off Italy. Most people reached land by lifeboats but some swam. As of Saturday, January 14, published reports indicate that between 50 and 69 people are missing, but Italian officials cautioned that the passenger list may not be fully up to date.
The regional prefect's office said 4,165 out of 4,234 people on board had been accounted for, the Italian news agency Ansa reported. Italian, German, French and British nationals were among the 3,200 passengers on board, and 1,000 crew.
The Costa Concordia had sailed earlier on Friday from Civitavecchia port near Rome for a Mediterranean cruise, due to dock in Marseille after calling at ports in Sicily, Sardinia and Spain.
While reports are rolling in at a rapid pace and it’s difficult to confirm many details, several independent reports note a general lack of confusion and panic, with several people identified as passengers reporting a lack of instruction to aid in the evacuation.
Costa Concordia: Entered service in 2006
Built Fincantieri
Capacity 3,780 passengers
1,500 cabins, including 12 suites, five restaurants and 13 bars
Source: Costa Cruises and cruise industry websites