Costa Concordia towed on its final journeyJuly 23, 2014 - 13:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The wrecked Italian cruise ship, the Costa Concordia, is being towed on its final journey to the port of Genoa for scrapping, BBC News reports. The removal is one of the biggest ever maritime salvage operations. The Concordia struck a reef off the Italian island of Giglio in January 2012 and capsized, killing 32 people. It was re-floated nine days ago and is being kept above the surface by giant buoyancy chambers. Over a dozen vessels will help to tow the ship. The wreck was hauled upright in September last year but was still partially submerged, resting on six steel platforms. The cruise ship is being towed to Genoa at two knots, almost at walking pace, with an escort of more than a dozen tug boats. The journey, which is expected to take four days, began shortly before 09:00 local time (07:00 GMT). Senior salvage master Nick Sloane said early on Wednesday, July 23 that everything was going according to plan. However, French ecology minister Segolene Royal has said she will monitor the ship's movement from Corsica. Residents on the island fear that any oil leak from the cruise ship could cause significant environmental damage. The Concordia is set to sail 25km (15 miles) from Corsica and close to the islands of Elba and Capraia before its expected arrival in Genoa late on Saturday. Investigators are still looking for the body of Indian waiter Russel Rebello, whose body is the only one not to have been found. The Costa Concordia's owners, Costa Crociere, estimate the operation to remove the wreck from the reef and tow it for scrapping will cost 1.5bn euros ($2bn) in total. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |