Concordia survivors speak of panic and chaos

As the investigation into the Costa Concordia disaster continues, more images and witness accounts have emerged of what took place.

Survivors have spoken of confusion and even panic among the crew, as the cruise liner listed onto its side and took in water.

Among the difficulties staff faced was the angle at which the stricken ship was laying in the water. It meant some lifeboats and rafts could not be lowered.

Speaking on his return to the UK, James Thomas said: “We were not allowed to deploy any more life boats because the previous ones got stuck to the side of the ship. So, we had to find an alternative way around and it was a chaos”.

Passengers had little time to react as water poured into the vessel. Some survivors said the crew could not cope with the unfolding emergency.

A French passenger said: “The people who were there to help us get in the lifeboats were more scared than we were. They were panicking because they didn’t know how to do what needed to be done.”

Italian media have alleged the captain intentionally sailed close to the island as a salute to people there. One witness supported the claim. Speaking to French television she said: “He (the captain) was with us and I can tell you that when we hit the rocks, he was on the bridge below waving at people. And I can assure you we were still on the boat when he had left. We saw him leaving.”

Other passengers said there seemed to be unexplained delays in sending an SOS and organising the evacuation of the ship. Some said they raised they alarm by calling emergency services on the mainland.

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