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    January 14, 2012

3 Dead After Ship Runs Aground in Italy

   VOA News
   The luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia leans on its side after running
   aground in the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 14,
   2012. Photo: AP
   The luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia leans on its side after running
   aground in the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 14,
   2012. The luxury cruise ship ran aground off the coast of Tuscany,
   sending water pouring in through a 160-foot (50-meter) gash in the
   hull.

   Italian officials say at least three people were killed and several
   injured when a luxury cruise ship ran aground off the coast of Tuscany
   on Friday. That is fewer dead than first reported.
   Authorities say more than 4,000 passengers and crew members were aboard
   the Costa Concordia when it ran into trouble near the Tuscan island of
   Giglio. Passengers were sitting down to dinner at the time of the
   incident.
   One passenger told Italian media the ensuing panic onboard the ship was
   "like a scene from the Titanic." Some of those onboard are reported to
   have jumped into the icy waters to escape the badly listing ship that
   began taking on water through a gash in the hull.
   Officials say a rescue operation using lifeboats and helicopters has
   evacuated passengers and crew to the island of Giglio and to Porto
   Santo Stefano on the mainland.
   The accommodations on the 290-meter-long, 13-deck Costa Concordia
   included 13 bars, 5 restaurants, 4 swimming pools and 500 balcony
   staterooms.
   The cause of the accident is being investigated.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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