ROME– The Polish Embassy in Rome reported that the three Polish crew of the Costa Concordia and nine Polish passengers aboard the stricken ship which went aground in the Mediterranean were safe.
At least six died with 15 remaining missing after the Costa Concordia with 4229 passengers and crew on board ran aground and started taking in water from a long rift in the hull, late Friday evening. The holiday cruiser eventually turned on its side with several decks being totally flooded. The ratio from guests to crew was almost 3-1.
There was some confusion as to the whereabouts of a missing Polish passenger who had been brought ashore. “We know the person has been taken to shore, obtaining assistance at one of the centers organized by Italian rescue services,” spokesperson for the Polish Embassy, Jadwiga Pietrasik said.
The company that owns the vessel, Costa Crociere, said in a written statement that the captain, “Made errors of judgment that had serious consequences.” The captain of the ship, Francesco Schettino, has been arrested on manslaughter.
“The route followed by the ship turned out to be too close to the coast, and it seems that his decision in handling the emergency didn’t follow Costa Crociere’s procedures which are in line, and in some cases, go beyond, international standards,” the statement added.
The Costa Concordia, which has a huge hole in its hull, is currently lying on its side just meters off the Tuscan island of Giglio.
According to the investigating chief prosecutor an initial statement was released and it said that the vessel had “very ineptly got close to Giglio.” The captain through a spokesperson denied the charges.
Polish News wire reports