Pumping fuel from Costa Concordia called off

The operation to pump fuel from the Costa Concordia cruise ship due to begin today has been delayed due to rough seas.

Technicians from Italian company Neri and Dutch firm Smit say they want to ensure safety before they begin the task of extracting nearly 2,400 tons of fuel from the tanks. They had already started drilling holes for safety valves into the hull of the ship.

These efforts are to help prevent an ecological disaster, in addition to one that has already claimed 17 lives.

The search for some of the 15 people still listed missing has also had to be called off due to the dangerous conditions. A remote-controlled underwater robot is being used to search the ship, as well as the manual searches by divers.

The vessel ran aground 15 days ago near the Italian island of Giglio when it is believed the captain sailed too close to shore.

Meanwhile, the cruise ship’s operator has offered unhurt passengers 11,000 euros in compensation and 3,200 people may make a claim.

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