UPDATE: Death toll rises to 17 as high winds halt salvage operation
Another body has been found on the cruise liner Costa Concordia as salvage work was suspended due to high winds.
The 17th body, believed to be a female crew member who wasn’t wearing a life jacket, was discovered on Saturday leaving at least 15 people still missing.
Officials said the £390million ship had slipped slightly on its resting place on a ledge so work pumping out fuel has had to be delayed, reports the Sun newspaper.
Dutch shipwreck salvage firm Smit has been contracted to remove 2,300 tonnes of diesel aboard the cruise liner.
Smit spokesman Martijn Schuttevaer said that the pumping operation may not begin now until midweek since the poor weather is forecast until at least Tuesday.
Costa Cruises offered €11,000 (£9,200) in compensation last week to passengers on the Costa Concordia which hit a rock and capsized off the Tuscan coast on 13 January, see previous story.
• American Express were under the spotlight this weekend after sending out a mailshot to customers advertising a cruise on the stricken Costa Concordia.
The advert, which was sent to cardholders in America featured a cruise touring Italy, France, and Spain starting on 25 February, the New York Daily News reported.
An American Express spokeswoman told the News: "The mailing was already underway when the accident occurred. We apologise for any inconvenience to those who received it."
Diane
Have your say Cancel reply
Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter
Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.































Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season