UPDATE: More believed missing on Concordia as death toll rises to 16
Three more bodies have been pulled from the wreckage of Costa Concordia, bringing the total number of confirmed dead to 16.
Authorities in Italy admitted they were still searching for ’24 or 25 people’, rather than the 19 people officially unaccounted for.
The uncertainty comes from speculation there may have been unauthorised passengers and crew onboard.
Two of the latest bodies to be retrieved, both women, are believed to have been found in or near on internet cafe on the ship, which capsized 10 days ago after ramming into rocks off the island of Giglio.
One of the bodies found is said to be that of Italian honeymooner Maria D’Introno, 30, who was on the cruise with her new husband Vincenzo Roselli and her in-laws, who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
Italian authorities have now given the go ahead to pump fuel from the stricken ship, but they say rescue workers will continue to search the wreck.
They say the two activities can proceed in tandem and the pumping of fuel is expected to begin within 24 hours. The ship was carrying almost 2m litres of fuel when it capsized. An Italian naval vessel is on standby in case of leakage.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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