MOSCOW, July 29 (RIA Novosti) - On Sunday afternoon the hulk of Costa Concordia was towed into an industrial port on the outskirts of Genoa, thus finalizing one of the most complex and expensive marine salvage operations, The Guardian reports. Now the ship will be dismantled and turned into scrap metal.
According to the newspaper, Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi flew to Genoa to observe the final stages of the operation. He said that his presence was a "sign of gratitude from the prime minister for getting something done which everyone said would be impossible".
Many Italians considered the incident to be a source of embarrassment for the country, but the success of the salvage operation, which required the help of many local experts, has lifted the spirits of Italian people.
The Guardian states that the wreck’s dismantling will take approximately 22 months, though before the work begins the vessel’s remains are to be searched for the only victim whose body was never found – an Indian waiter. Divers are also trying to find his body at the site of the disaster.
In 2012 the vessel struck a rock just off the island of Giglio as the liner’s captain, Francesco Schettino, took the ship dangerously close to the shore to give a “salute” to a friend. Thirty two passengers and crew members died when the ship collapsed, and one diver died this February while working on salvaging the wreck. The captain is currently on trial. He still denies his guilt.
