Passengers died over ‘slow evacuation’

The failure of Costa Concordia’s captain to promptly order an evacuation of the cruise ship was the sole reason 32 people died, prosecutors said in their final arguments in court.

A verdict in the 19-month-old trial is expected this week for Francesco Schettino, accused of causing the January 13, 2012, shipwreck near the Italian island of Giglio, manslaughter and abandoning ship before all 4,200 aboard were evacuated.

Prosecutor Alessandro Leopizzi contended there would have been time for everyone to survive had Schettino quickly ordered evacuation after the Concordia smashed into a reef when he steered too close to the tiny island near Tuscany. Instead, it was “each man for himself,” Leopizzi said of the chaotic, delayed evacuation.

Schettino’s defence has argued equipment problems complicated evacuation, and that he wanted to steer the Concordia closer to port.

His lawyers seek acquittal for manslaughter and abandoning ship. Schettino has said the reef wasn’t on his nautical charts.

Co-prosecutor Stefano Pizza described the defendant’s conduct as “reprehensible.” He urged for convictions on all counts and reiterated the prosecutors’ request for a 26-year prison term.