The sinking of the Costa Concordia

The Costa Concordia cruise ship has sailed the Mediterranean sea for years, carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers on pleasant cruises. Unfortunately, during a cold night of January 13, 2012, everything changed. The Concordia left on 11 January from the port of Cagliari and, after having made a stopover in Palermo, arrived in Civitavecchia on 13 January. After sunset the ship set off for the last leg towards Savona. The official route involved the passage about halfway between the Argentario promontory and the island of Giglio. But this official route was modified to perform the so-called “bow”, that is, the maneuver whereby the ship is brought very close to the mainland for a sort of salute.
The shipwreck occurred at 9:45 pm, after a violent impact against a group of rocks emerging in front of the Giglio Island, known as the “Scole”. The impact caused the opening of a leak about 70 meters long on the left side of the hull (the submerged part of the ship), causing the ship to partially sink. The accident resulted in 32 deaths among the passengers and crew of the Costa Concordia. Two years later a diver also lost his life, during the work to remove the wreck, causing the number of victims linked to the tragedy to rise to 33.

Seven days after the disaster I went to the island of Giglio for a commissioned photojournalistic service, and already in the approach phase I was presented with a gruesome scene, the silhouette of the ship was clearly visible several miles away, lying on its side.
Seven days after the disaster I went to the island of Giglio for a commissioned photojournalistic service, and already in the approach phase I was presented with a gruesome scene, the silhouette of the ship was clearly visible several miles away, lying on its side.
Shortly before arriving in the port of the island of Giglio, we spotted "le Scole", the rocks on which the ship struck.
Shortly before arriving in the port of the island of Giglio, we spotted "le Scole", the rocks on which the ship struck.
Entering the port, it was possible to observe the majesty of the ship lying on the rocks of Punta Gabbianara, far beyond the size of the port itself.
Entering the port, it was possible to observe the majesty of the ship lying on the rocks of Punta Gabbianara, far beyond the size of the port itself.
This was the image that Concordia presented itself to the inhabitants of the Giglio Island, in the days following the shipwreck. It was a chilling image, which for several months remained an element of the Giglio landscape.
This was the image that Concordia presented itself to the inhabitants of the Giglio Island, in the days following the shipwreck. It was a chilling image, which for several months remained an element of the Giglio landscape.
The many technicians who arrived on the island immediately went to work immediately in the days following the shipwreck, to facilitate the search for the missing who were still 10 a week after the disaster.
The many technicians who arrived on the island immediately went to work immediately in the days following the shipwreck, to facilitate the search for the missing who were still 10 a week after the disaster.
Even in the case of the Costa Concordia tragedy, the media have transformed a tragic news story into a real media event, with its protagonists, the twists and turns, and the spotlights always on.
Even in the case of the Costa Concordia tragedy, the media have transformed a tragic news story into a real media event, with its protagonists, the twists and turns, and the spotlights always on.
The media looting began immediately and the inhabitants of the small island of Giglio had to make room not only for the castaways, but also for journalists and onlookers.
The media looting began immediately and the inhabitants of the small island of Giglio had to make room not only for the castaways, but also for journalists and onlookers.
Observing that pachyderm bent on its side, as if mortally wounded, it comes to mind that what must have been a safe place to enjoy a relaxing holiday has turned, first into a place of despair, panic and death and later into a bulky folded carcass near the coast of the small Tuscan island.
Observing that pachyderm bent on its side, as if mortally wounded, it comes to mind that what must have been a safe place to enjoy a relaxing holiday has turned, first into a place of despair, panic and death and later into a bulky folded carcass near the coast of the small Tuscan island.
The command bridge and the forward portion of the Concordia bridges emerging from the water.
The command bridge and the forward portion of the Concordia bridges emerging from the water.
The first onlookers appear on the cliff: it is still not possible to believe what happened.
The first onlookers appear on the cliff: it is still not possible to believe what happened.
The inhabitants of the island and the relatives of the missing, observed the search and rescue operations of the firefighters and the navy.
The inhabitants of the island and the relatives of the missing, observed the search and rescue operations of the firefighters and the navy.
Some objects of the ship, on the rocks in front of Punta Gabbianara.
Some objects of the ship, on the rocks in front of Punta Gabbianara.
Some objects of the ship, on the rocks in front of Punta Gabbianara.
Some objects of the ship, on the rocks in front of Punta Gabbianara.
The slides of the water park on the upper deck ended up directly in the sea and the armchairs were piled up against a bulkhead.
The slides of the water park on the upper deck ended up directly in the sea and the armchairs were piled up against a bulkhead.
The work of the rescuers went on for several days at an incessant pace. Access to the wreck took place both by water and by air from the fire brigade helicopters.
The work of the rescuers went on for several days at an incessant pace. Access to the wreck took place both by water and by air from the fire brigade helicopters.
The underwater departments of the Navy intervened to search for the survivors who also used explosives to open passages between the debris and the glass of the command bridge.
The underwater departments of the Navy intervened to search for the survivors who also used explosives to open passages between the debris and the glass of the command bridge.
Rescuers are preparing to enter the wreck through one of the open entrances with explosives.
Rescuers are preparing to enter the wreck through one of the open entrances with explosives.
Some lifeboats got entangled in the ship's rigging during the chaotic escape and remained unused.
Some lifeboats got entangled in the ship's rigging during the chaotic escape and remained unused.
The rock that ripped the left side of the ship for 70 meters, torn from the rocks of the Scole, a well-known danger to those who go to sea.
The rock that ripped the left side of the ship for 70 meters, torn from the rocks of the Scole, a well-known danger to those who go to sea.
I leave the island at sunset, with so much sadness in my heart. I think it is unacceptable that such serious accidents, caused by human neglect, can still happen today. I observe the sun settling on the Lily, I close my eyes and focus my thoughts on the victims of this tragedy.
I leave the island at sunset, with so much sadness in my heart. I think it is unacceptable that such serious accidents, caused by human neglect, can still happen today. I observe the sun settling on the Lily, I close my eyes and focus my thoughts on the victims of this tragedy.

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