Costa Concordia Disaster: 32 Dead

Tragedy Strikes Near Italian Coast

Aftermath of Shipwreck Leaves Many Unanswered Questions

Few of the 500-odd residents of the fishermen's village will ever forget the freezing night of Jan. Thirty-two people died after the Costa Concordia cruise ship ran aground and capsized off the coast of Italy. The ship, carrying over 4,200 passengers and crew, had departed from Civitavecchia, near Rome, and was bound for Savona, in northwestern Italy.

According to the most recent reports, the ship hit a sandbar and then a rock formation, causing a large gash in the hull. The impact caused the ship to list heavily, and it eventually capsized. The ship was carrying over 4,200 passengers and crew, and it is believed that many of the dead were trapped inside the ship as it sank.

The rescue operation was hampered by the cold and rough seas. Many of the passengers and crew were forced to jump into the icy water to escape the sinking ship. Many of the survivors were taken to local hospitals, where they are being treated for hypothermia and other injuries.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation. The ship's captain, Francesco Schettino, has been placed under arrest, and prosecutors are considering charges of manslaughter and negligence. It is not yet clear what caused Schettino to steer the ship so close to shore, or why he did not order an evacuation of the ship sooner.

The Costa Concordia disaster is one of the worst maritime disasters in recent history. The ship was one of the largest and most luxurious cruise ships in the world, and it was carrying passengers from all over the world. The tragedy has left many unanswered questions, and it is likely that the cause of the accident will not be known for some time.