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Russian-speaking tourists on damaged pleasure boat evacuated

Last night, the Costa Concordia pleasure boat, cruising the Mediterranean, was holed by rocks off Giglio Island

Screenshot NTV

Screenshot NTV

MOSCOW, January 14 (Itar-Tass) — There were 120 Russian-speaking tourists aboard the pleasure boat Costa Concordia. The Russian News Service at the Russian embassy in Rome received information that all of them are evacuated.

According to an embassy spokesman, nobody was injured among Russian-speaking passengers.

The Itar-Tass office in Rome reported that according to the Civil Defence Department, coordinating the operation on evacuation of passengers, rescuers continue their work. The greater part of 4,299 passengers that were aboard the cruiser, were rescued and brought to the island of Giglio off whose coast the incident took place.

Helicopters are involved in the evacuation operation, bringing also passengers to the nearest city on the mainland – Porto San Stefano on the Monte Argentario peninsula.

The rescued are being counted now, but according to a statement of rescuers, it is necessary to inspect several other parts of the ship, including those filled with water. There is information on six dead and dozens of missing. A total of 13 people were injured; two of them --seriously.

Last night, the Costa Concordia pleasure boat, cruising the Mediterranean, was holed by rocks off Giglio Island.

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