Prosecutor adds Costa Crociere execs and crew members to investigation

Costa Crociere executive VP Manfred Ursprunger is among seven Costa Cruises employees added yesterday to the investigation of the Costa Concordia sinking by the prosecutor in Grosseto, Italy. They join Captain Francesco Schettino and first officer Ciro Ambrosio as suspects. Italian media say the seven may face charges of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and failing to communicate with maritime authorities. In addition to Mr. Ursprunger, they are named by news agency ANSA and other sources as Roberto Ferrarini, head of the company’s crisis unit, Paolo Parodi, fleet superintendent of the ship and four officers of the ship: Roberto Bosio, Silvia Coronica, Salvatore Ursino and Andrea Bongiovanni.

Meantime, the number of bodies found on deck 4 of the stricken cruise liner this week has risen to eight.

February 23, 2012