The removal of the Costa Concordia threatens to pollute the pristine waters around the Italian island of Giglio where the ship capsized two years ago, according to a new report which has angered local officials and environmentalists.
The technical report prepared by the ship’s parent company, Costa Cruises, says that the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea could be contaminated with chemicals and hydrocarbons as the ship is refloated and towed away in July.
The report seek to play down possible pollution as “temporary and of little significance” but the company says it also wants to ensure that nets, skimming machines and other equipment are in place to recover oil and other materials expected to be released from the 950-ft liner when it is moved.
Removal of Costa Concordia ‘could pollute sea’ around island of Giglio Telegraph