Relatives mourn cruise ship dead
- 12 years ago
Mourning the victims of the Costa Concordia - the cruise ship that capsized off the coast of Italy last week.
On Sunday, relatives of two French passengers who died in the disaster attended a church service in Tuscany.
They were accompanied by France's Ambassador to Italy, Alain Le Roy.
He said a top coast guard official was committed to continuing the search for 20 people who remain missing, a list that includes French citizens.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO ITALY ALAIN LE ROY
"He confirmed and reassured me the search and rescue mission for the missing people would also continue. The number one priority of course will be to find them."
At least 12 people died when the Costa Concordia ran aground off the coast of Tuscany nine days ago.
Rescuers say the chances of finding anyone alive at this point have all but gone.
Meanwhile, crews are pressing on to start pumping fuel off the ship amid concerns it may seep into the pristine Tuscan waters.
There are over 2,400 tonnes of fuel on board.
While none has leaked yet, officials say this risks becoming Italy's worst environmental disaster in two decades.
Andrew Raven, Reuters
On Sunday, relatives of two French passengers who died in the disaster attended a church service in Tuscany.
They were accompanied by France's Ambassador to Italy, Alain Le Roy.
He said a top coast guard official was committed to continuing the search for 20 people who remain missing, a list that includes French citizens.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO ITALY ALAIN LE ROY
"He confirmed and reassured me the search and rescue mission for the missing people would also continue. The number one priority of course will be to find them."
At least 12 people died when the Costa Concordia ran aground off the coast of Tuscany nine days ago.
Rescuers say the chances of finding anyone alive at this point have all but gone.
Meanwhile, crews are pressing on to start pumping fuel off the ship amid concerns it may seep into the pristine Tuscan waters.
There are over 2,400 tonnes of fuel on board.
While none has leaked yet, officials say this risks becoming Italy's worst environmental disaster in two decades.
Andrew Raven, Reuters