Fuel Pump-Out Begins on Costa Concordia

Salvage workers begin pumping fuel from the wreck of the Costa Concordia cruise liner - one month since the vessel ran aground off the Italian island of Giglio. 

             

Operations to remove the more than 2,300 tons of fuel from the ship have been delayed by the search for survivors and bodies, and by rough seas.  

            

[Matteo Maruiz, Giglio Resident]:         

"Finally they are extracting some fuel, they have taken their time. I know that they have had to search for people and the sea has been rough, but I hope they hurry up and finish this work."              

 

Italy's Civil Protection Department said the operation to empty the 15 fuel tanks on board would take 28 working days - if the weather remains calm. 

             

The 290-meter-long liner -- the largest passenger ship by tonnage ever wrecked -- partially capsized on January 13 after it struck a rock close to the shore. 

             

At least 17 people died, and 15 people are still missing.