Divers search for survivors in Tuscany; captain awaits questioning
Posted Jan 17, 2012 6:45 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The death toll in the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster is now 11; Italian media reports say divers located five more bodies Tuesday off the coast of Tuscany.
Meanwhile, prosecutors are questioning the captain of the capsized cruise ship.
The captain is explaining himself in court, but it’s a closed door hearing.
CNN’s Dan Rivers reports there’s no doubt he’s in a lot of trouble.
“He’s not being formally charged yet, but he is facing possible charges of manslaughter and abandoning a ship,” he said, “charges which could carry up to 15 years in prison.”
Within 20 minutes of hitting the reef, the Coast Guard contacted the captain who said it was a blackout and it was under control.
Ten minutes later, the captain admitted the ship was taking on water, but still insisted no emergency.
It wasn’t until another 10 minutes under pressure from the Coast Guard that he finally sent a mayday.
