Costa Concordia News

The trial of Francesco Schettino, the captain of the Costa Concordia, the cruise ship that hit a reef Jan. 13, 2012, killing 32, is ongoing and an important witness may soon take the stand. That witness is Rusil Bin, the helmsman on that fateful night.

Thirty-two people died on Jan. 13, 2012 in the Costa Concordia disaster when the Italian cruise liner went down. On Saturday a 33rd victim was taken when a diver from Spain cut his leg underwater. Brought to surface, he later died.

Cristina Porcelli, a lawyer for Costa Crociere, owners of the doomed Costa Concordia, told a court in Italy Tuesday that on the day following the tragedy the captain of the ship made no mention of those who died. He spoke only of his bravery, she said.

Insurance experts said on Saturday that all claims made as a result of the Costa Concordia disaster could easily end up being $2 billion, or more. Payments made already are at more than $1 billion.

The captain of tragic Italian cruise ship, the Costa Concordia, was "distracted" on the bridge leading up to the tragedy that killed 32, the ship's First Officer Ciro Ambrosio said. Ambrosio is testifying at the trial of Francesco Schettino this week.

Four divers who worked for Titan Salvage, one of two companies that raised the Costa Concordia, were caught on the ship in the middle of the night stealing souvenirs. The divers have been fired and will appear in court in Grosseto, Italy.

The trial of Francesco Schettino, the captain of Italian cruise ship, the Costa Concordia, has added a romantic element. Domnica Cemortan, a Moldovan dancer, admitted at his trial that she was his lover, and was on the bridge when the ship hit a reef.

A Dutch salvage firm, Royal Boskalis NV said on Thursday they've won a $30 million contract to remove the Costa Concordia. The Italian cruise ship partially sunk 300 metres off of the shore of Giglio Island in the Tuscan Bay on Jan. 13, 2012.

An official from Italy's civil protection agency told media Wednesday more human remains were found at the Costa Concordia site. The 114,000-tonne ship was pulled upright two weeks ago and two bodies were found, believed to be the last two missing.

The final two bodies of the 32 who died in the Costa Concordia tragedy, a female Italian passenger and a male from India who was a waiter on the ship, have been found. The wreckage was refloated earlier this week and the find was expected.