Costa Cruises says ‘significant human error’ may have led to Costa Concordia running aground.
The cruise ship owner has made the first official comment on the cause of the tragedy in which at least six people have died and 15 are still unaccounted for.
It said that the ship was too close to the shore and questioned Captain Francesco Schettino’s judgment in handling the emergency.
Italian investigators are working on the theory that the £390million vessel sailed close to the island of Giglio to greet an officer from the Italian merchant navy who was friendly with those on the Concordia, according to the Daily Mail.
Last August the vessel passed close to the island sounding its whistle – prompting the mayor to send a congratulatory email to the captain for providing such a ‘spectacle to tourists’ and ‘fantastic entertainment’.
The captain denies any wrongdoing.
A statement on Costa Cruises website said: “We are aware that the lead Prosecutor has levelled serious accusations against the ship’s captain.
“While the investigation is ongoing, preliminary indications are that there may have been significant human error on the part of the ship’s Master, Captain Francesco Schettino, which resulted in these grave consequences.
