Civil Protection Department

Concordia emergency: closing of fuel recovery operations

Tomorrow, 23 March, recovery operations of hydrocarbons in the Concordia vessel - carried out by the Smit Salvage and Neri companies - will be completed.

The closing of the defueling operations has been announced today, 22 March, during a press conference coordinated by the Costa Crociere company. The Head of the Civil Protection Department, Franco Gabrielli, also delegate Commissioner for the Concordia emergency, took part to the conference

The operations of fuel extractions from the 17 tanks of the vessel commenced on 12 February and went on whenever the weather conditions made it possibile.

As soon as this phase ends, the caretaking operations will start, with the objective of keeping a presidium of environmental protection and proceeding with the removal of materials and objects from the seabed.

This afternoon, at the end of the press conference, the delegate Commissioner Franco Gabrielli met also the citizens of the island for the usual discussion on the ongoing activities and the ones that will soon be realized.