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Refloating operation begins to lift Costa Concordia

The cruise liner with 4,200 passengers and crew onboard struck a reef and capsized on January 14, 2012

© EPA/ALESSANDRO DI MEO

ROME, July 14. /ITAR-TASS/. The operation of raising the wrecked cruise liner Costa Concordia has started off the Italian island of Giglio, South African salvage master Nick Sloane, who leads the international refloating operation, said on Monday.

The salvage operation has kicked off at 6am local time (GMT+1).

The cruise liner with 4,200 passengers and crew onboard struck a reef and capsized on January 14, 2012. Thirty-two people died in the accident. Costa Concordia’s captain Francesco Schettino is on trial in Grosseto for manslaughter and abandoning ship.

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