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Costa Concordia disaster facts for kids

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Costa Concordia disaster
Collision of Costa Concordia 11.jpg
Aground with rigid lifeboats in foreground and inflatables hanging from the side of the ship
Date 13 January 2012 (2012-01-13)
Location Off Isola del Giglio, Tuscany, Italy, Mediterranean Sea
Type Ship grounding
Cause Struck a rock while deviating from planned course
Participants 4,252 (3,206 passengers; 1,023 crew and personnel)
Deaths 33 (27 passengers, 5 crew, 1 salvage member)
Non-fatal injuries 64
Captain Francesco Schettino
Operator Costa Crociere
Salvage
  • Fuel and oil extraction: March 2012
  • Righting: September 2013
  • Refloated and towed: July 2014

On January 13, 2012, a huge Italian cruise ship called the Costa Concordia had a terrible accident. It hit an underwater rock near Isola del Giglio in Tuscany, Italy. The ship then tipped over onto its side. Sadly, 32 people lost their lives in this event.

The Costa Concordia was eight years old and belonged to Costa Cruises. It was just starting a fun trip around the Mediterranean Sea. But the ship went off its planned path and sailed too close to the island. This is when it hit the hidden rock.

What Happened to the Ship?

The Costa Concordia was on the first part of its journey. It was supposed to follow a safe route. However, the captain decided to steer the ship closer to the island. This was done to perform a "salute" or a close pass by the shore.

The Impact and Damage

When the ship hit the rock, it tore a large hole in its side. Water quickly began to rush into the ship. This caused the ship to start leaning over. The crew tried to steer the ship towards the shore. They hoped to ground it in shallower water.

Rescue Efforts Begin

As the ship tilted more and more, people realized the danger. The crew worked to help passengers get off the ship. Many lifeboats were lowered. People also used ropes and ladders to escape. A large rescue effort lasted for about six hours. Most of the 4,252 people on board were brought safely to shore.

Why Did the Disaster Happen?

The main reason for the accident was the ship going off course. It sailed into waters that were too shallow. The captain, Francesco Schettino, was in charge of the ship. He made the decision to go so close to the island.

The Captain's Actions

Many people blamed Captain Schettino for the disaster. He left the ship shortly after it began to sink. This happened while many passengers and crew members were still on board. His actions were heavily criticized.

After the Accident

The Costa Concordia lay on its side for a long time. It was a huge and difficult job to remove it.

Salvage Operation

  • Fuel Removal: First, workers had to remove all the fuel and oil from the ship. This was done in March 2012. It prevented a big oil spill in the sea.
  • Righting the Ship: In September 2013, a massive operation took place. Engineers used special equipment to slowly pull the ship upright. This process is called "parbuckling."
  • Refloating and Towing: Finally, in July 2014, the ship was refloated. It was then towed away to a port in Genoa, Italy. There, it was taken apart for scrap.

This disaster was a sad event. It taught important lessons about ship safety and responsibility.

Images for kids

  • Costa Concordia in Palma, Majorca, Spain

    MS Costa Concordia in Palma, Majorca in 2011

  • Collision of Costa Concordia DSC4191

    Wrecked ship with boulder in hull gash

  • Collision of Costa Concordia 8

    Rescued passengers huddle ashore

  • Collision of Costa Concordia 37

    Rescued passengers and crew in Giglio Porto

  • Pinnidae - Pinna nobilis-001

    Giant fan mussel of the type relocated away from the Costa Concordia wreck for fear of the threat posed by subsequent engineering work

  • Costa-concordia-route2

    Route of Mediterranean cruise from Civitavecchia and back. Arrow: journey on first leg, star: impact with reef

  • Costa-cordia-last-journey

    Planned route (starting at 19:20 UTC+1) together with deviation (starting at 21:10 UTC+1) ending off Giglio

  • Costa-cordia-route-map

    Deviation (from 21:30 UTC+1) leading to disaster (21:45 UTC+1) and grounding (23:00 UTC+1)

  • Costa-concordia-routes

    Route leading to disaster compared to route of 14 August 2011

  • Costa Concordia map 13-1-2012 (en)

    Timeline of the disaster

  • Location of Costa Concordia cruise-ship disaster (13-1-2012)-2

    Closeup of the disaster

  • Costa Concordia salvage July crop

    Preparing for righting, July 2013. On the left are the strand jacks (used to pull the cables) mounted on the tops of the retaining turrets.

  • Costa Concordia parbuckling 07

    The operation progesses slowly, at less than 2 degrees per hour. On the right are the port side sponsons.

  • Costa Concordia parbuckling 09

    Sponsons ready to fill with sea water, nearing 24 degrees of rotation

  • Costa Concordia parbuckling 11

    The morning after the parbuckling

  • Costa Concordia parbuckling 18

    After parbuckling and before refloat, September 2013

  • Costa Concordia parbuckling spectral view 17

    Starboard side of the righted Costa Concordia, showing crush damage from the rock spurs upon which she had rested

  • Refloating crop

    Wreck refloated, 20 July 2014

  • La Costa Concordia ormeggiata nel porto di Prà, vista dalla passeggiata di Pegli

    Wreck near Genoa, Pegli (Porto di Prà), 27 July 2014

  • Costa Concordia Abwracken

    The wreck in the Superbacino dock in Genoa, 12 September 2015

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Accidente del Costa Concordia para niños

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