Four more bodies found from Costa Concordia

Divers have found four more bodies on Deck 4 of the submerged Costa Concordia, according to Italy’s National Civil Protection Agency. One of the bodies was that of a five year old girl, according to media reports. With today’s announcement, 21 bodies have been recovered, with another 11 persons still unaccounted for from the January 13 incident when the 4,200-passenger cruise ship struck a rock off of the coast of Giglio Island, Italy. The ship remains partially submerged off of the coast.

Meanwhile, heavy wind and wave conditions have slowed the second phase of the recovery of the fuel from the ship, which had a total of 2,300 tonnes onboard at the time of the incident.

Captain Francesco Schettino faces possible charges for multiple manslaughter, and ship abandonment in connection with the January 13 incident.

Costa Crociere has extended its Feb. 14 deadline for acceptance of its compensation proposal for guests involved in the Costa Concordia incident to March 31, 2012.

The compensation package for Costa Concordia guests includes:
• A lump sum of 11,000 euros ( about $14,458) per person as indemnification, covering all patrimonial and nonpatrimonial damages, including loss of baggage and personal effects, psychological distress and loss of enjoyment of the cruise vacation;
• Reimbursement of the value of the cruise, including harbor taxes;
• Reimbursement of air and bus transfers included in the cruise
package;
• Full reimbursement of travel expenses to reach the port of embarkation and return home;
• Reimbursement of any medical expenses resulting from the cruise;
• Reimbursement of expenses incurred on board during the cruise.

February 22, 2012