Shipwrecked Concordia is re-floated

Authorities expressed satisfaction that the operation to float the Concordia from an underwater platform had proceeded without a hitch.

The cruise liner struck a reef in January 2012 and capsized, killing 32 people.

The ship was set upright in September and then crews fastened huge tanks to its flanks, like water wings, to float it.

Italy’s environmental minister told reporters that the operation will only be finished when the ship is successfully transported to the port of Genoa for scrapping. Towing is set for later this month.

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