In February 2015, Captain Francesco Schettino was convicted and sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in the 2012 Costa Concordia disaster, which resulted in 32 deaths. The Italian court found him guilty of multiple counts of manslaughter, causing a maritime accident, and abandoning ship before all passengers and crew were evacuated.
The Costa Concordia, a luxury cruise liner, capsized on January 13, 2012, after striking rocks off the Tuscan island of Giglio. Investigations revealed that Schettino had deviated from the ship’s planned route, bringing it dangerously close to shore to perform a maneuver known as a “salute.” This reckless action led to the vessel’s collision and subsequent capsizing.
During the trial, prosecutors portrayed Schettino as grossly negligent, highlighting his decision to abandon the ship while evacuation efforts were still underway. In contrast, Schettino’s defense argued that he was being unfairly scapegoated for a broader failure involving other crew members and the ship’s operator, Costa Crociere.
In May 2016, an appeals court upheld Schettino’s 16-year sentence, rejecting his bid for a reduced term and affirming the gravity of his misconduct. This ruling underscored the emphasis on accountability and the imperative of adhering to maritime safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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