Wednesday 18 January 2012

An Italian Disaster

Original article from The Independent newspaper:

http://ind.pn/yJVzVK

The wrong (Italian) way to start  the New Year...

As I'm sure most of you have heard of the Cruise Ship, the "Costa Concordia" hit into Gigolo Coast, Italy's West Coast on Friday 13th. Today The Italian media has released a transcript to the Media, telling the World if a conversation between the Cruise ship's captain Francesco Schettino and a voice from port Authority.
The transcript has been published in newspapers all over the world, and is clear to us that not only was Francesco Shettino lying about his whereabouts as the ship was sinking, the 52 year old Captain had no intention of going back on board to help save the 4,200 crew members and passengers terrified for their lives. 

The accident has been compared to the tragedy of the Titanic, whose story has famously been brought into our lives by the 1997 James Cameron film. It appears that the comparison can only be in the visual images of the ship as it overturned into the water, as reports show that Captain Scettino intended on saluting a Mr Palombo, a resident on Gigolo Island, by sailing near to the shore. Little did he know his "showboating" would lead to a New Year tragedy. 
Schettino's excuses are shown in the transcript saying it was "too dark", and lying that he would go back on board as told by the Port authority and help the others. It now appears Captain Schettino jumped from the ship, took a taxi to a nearby hotel, leaving his ships and thousands of lives to fate.
Reports today have shown that 700 people are helping find the 25 people still missing, as 11 have already lost their lives. 
All we can do now is hope that those 700 brave people find the remaining 25 missing, though the searchhas been delayed as the ship has moved in the waters, and that no more bodies are found. On board were people of different Nationalities and backgrounds causing upset and grievance worldwide. 
Some reports are saying that it could have been an "enormous tragedy", however 11 people have lost lives , 25 still missing, all because of a foolish man's "error", we cannot compare this to the deaths of the people on board Titanic, this is still a tragedy and an unthinkable way to start the New Year for thousands of people. 





A rescue team approaches the Costa Concordia - 16 January 2012