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Operation to float Costa Concordia away from Italian isle for scrapping set for next week

GIGLIO ISLAND, Italy – Italian authorities say work to float the shipwrecked Costa Concordia so it can be towed away for scrapping can start Monday, weather-permitting.

The cruise liner struck a reef when it came too close to Giglio Island in January 2012 and capsized, killing 32 people. After a daring engineering operation set the Concordia upright in September, crews fastened huge tanks to its flanks like water wings to float it off underwater platforms for towing to Genoa, on the mainland, for scrapping.

Government authorities said Saturday the floating operation could begin Monday and would last several days. Ship owner Costa Crociere Spa said towing is set for July 21.

Concordia’s Italian captain is being tried in Tuscany for manslaughter, causing the shipwreck and abandoning ship before all were evacuated.

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