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Shipwrecked for a year

January 13, 2013

Survivors and relatives of the 32 people killed on the Costa Corcordia cruise ship marked the tragedy's first anniversary at the site of the crash on Sunday. They did so in the shadow of the still unmoved shipwreck.

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Relatives of victims stand on a ferry in front of the capsized cruise liner Costa Concordia outside Giglio harbour January 13, 2013. (Photo: REUTERS/Tony Gentile)
Image: REUTERS

A day of ceremonies, including a church service, classical concert and an unveiling of plaques, began mid-morning on the island of Giglio off Italy - the site of last year's Costa Concordia cruise ship crash.

Giglio's mayor, family members of the victims and representatives of the Costa Crociere ship operator took a chunk of broken reef from the crash back out to sea.

Relatives and Survivors commemorate Costa Concordia sinking # 13.01.2012 20 Uhr # schiff19g # journal englisch

Participants were to observe a minute's silence at 9:45 p.m. (2045 UCT), the moment that the ship rammed into a rock when the ship sailed too close to the coast. Captain Francesco Schettino is under investigation on allegations of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck, and subsequently abandoning the vessel before its passengers were rescued. Nine others might face charges.

In total, 4,229 passengers and crew were on board the Costa Concordia, 32 of them were killed. Many had to jump into the wintery waters and swim for shore, owing to a lack of space on the lifeboats.

The stricken ship still lies in a marine reserve area, with a costly salvage operation running behind schedule and over budget. Costa Crociere currently estimate the costs at $400 million (nearly 300 million euros), $100 million more than initially projected.

msh/rc (dpa, AFP)