An Italian court begins hearings to determine who could stand trial as responsible for the cruise ship disaster.

Hundreds of lawyers, scientific experts and survivors from the Costa Concordia tragedy in January are expected to attend the hearing in the Tuscan city of Grosseto, not far from where the giant liner lies beached, according to the ANP/AFT news services.

The ship's captain Francesco Schettino, five crew members and three managers from ship owner Costa Crociere are under investigation. The court will review expert findings into the crash before ruling on who, if anyone, should stand trial.

Source ANP/AFP