New Delhi: On January 13, 2012 a hulking ship, named Costa Concordia ran aground. Operated by Costa Cruises, it was one of the largest ships ever to be abandoned .The accident took the lives of 32 people and the ship still lies on its side and half-submerged off the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio.The removal of ship wreck is still under progress and is expected to be over by the end of this year.Salvage crews are working against time to right and remove the shipwrecked Costa Concordia cruise ship, which is steadily compressing down on itself from sheer weight onto its granite seabed perch. This wreck removal is an extremely complex technical-engineering operation, like no other in history, involving the best international expertise and advanced technologies. Activities continue with about 500 workers and 30 vessels at work 24/7.The captain of the ship, Francesco Schettino is accused of abandoning the ship, and his trial also began few days back in Italy.He could face up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning the Concordia before all of the 4,200 passengers and crew were safely evacuated.Watch some of the pics of the ship: The Costa Concordia Ship wreck lies on its side in the Tuscan Island of Isola del Giglio. The Costa Concordia Ship wreck lies on its side in the Tuscan Island of Isola del Giglio. Passengers on a ferry watch the Costa Concordia Ship wreck in the Tuscan Island of Isola del Giglio. Passengers on a ferry watch the Costa Concordia Ship wreck in the Tuscan Island of Isola del Giglio. People sunbathe as the Costa Concordia Ship wreck is visible in background. People swim as the Costa Concordia Ship wreck is visible in background. The Costa Concordia cruise ship lies on its side in the Tuscan Island of Isola del Giglio. Passengers of a ferry look at the Costa Concordia cruise ship liying on its side in the Tuscan Island of Isola del Giglio. The Costa Concordia cruise ship lies on its side in the Tuscan Island of Isola del Giglio.
