Experts Call For Answers Over Incident

Travel law experts at Irwin Mitchell have been instructed by passengers caught up in the tragic events on board the Costa Concordia cruise ship this weekend.

The liner ran aground off the coast of the Italian island of Giglio after sailing too close to the shore, with 11 passengers killed in the incident. More than 20 passengers and crew remain unaccounted for.

Clive Garner, Partner and head of Irwin Mitchell’s International Law Team, confirmed that he is representing a number of passengers injured during the vessel’s capsize and its chaotic evacuation.

The firm recently uncovered letters published by Italian newspaper La Stampa in August 2011 which praised the Captain of the ship for a previous sail past which went very close to the shore of the island.

Commenting on this new development, Garner said: “As well as the official investigation we are working with colleagues in Italy and maritime safety experts to understand how the Costa Concordia ran aground. On the evidence currently available there appear to have been a number of serious errors of judgment on the part of the Captain, while faults with the sonar and navigation equipment also cannot be ruled out at this stage.

‘With thousands of passengers and crew on board this huge vessel, their safety should have been the first and only priority. Tragically, it seems that this was not the case and passengers and their families have paid a very heavy price.

 “Following formal notification of our clients’ claims to the cruise line we hope to engage them in early negotiations but if this proves unsuccessful, legal proceedings will follow.”

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