Engineers will today attempt to salvage the Costa Concordia wreck, more than a year and half after the vessel tragically ran aground off the Tuscan island of Giglio.
The ship has been on its side since the incident in January 2012, when 32 people were killed.
Sea and weather conditions are said to be right for what has been described as one of the largest and most challenging salvage operations to date.
Head of operations Nick Sloane told AFP that the effort had been made necessary by a gradual weakening of the hull, but the rolling of the ship must be carried out without further damaging it in order to prevent toxic substances from leaking into the sea.
If the operation is successful, the ill-fated vessel will then be towed away and scrapped, although it will not close the book on the tragedy. Although five people have since been convicted of manslaughter, Concordia’s captain, Francesco Schettino, remains on trial.
