Rome: The former captain of the Costa Concordia cruise liner has been sentenced to 16 years in prison by Italy's highest court for his role in the 2012 shipwreck, which killed 32 people off the Tuscan holiday island of Giglio.
Francesco Schettino was originally found guilty in 2015 of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning his passengers. Friday's ruling marked the end of the appeals process, with the court upholding the initial verdict.
More World News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:11
Costa Concordia captain sentenced to 16 ...
Costa Concordia captain sentenced to 16 years
The former captain of the doomed Costa Concordia is found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in the loss of the giant cruiseliner which left 32 people dead.
Up Next
A chamber of mummies uncovered
- Video duration
- 01:13
- Video duration
- 01:13
A chamber of mummies uncovered
A chamber of mummies uncovered
Egypt unearths an ancient burial site replete with at least 17 mummies, both adults and children.
Up Next
Shock and spin: 24hrs of Comey-sacking reaction
- Video duration
- 01:46
- Video duration
- 01:46
Shock and spin: 24hrs of Comey-sacking ...
Shock and spin: 24hrs of Comey-sacking reaction
Donald Trump's shock firing of FBI Director James Comey has drawn mixed reactions and raised questions among politicians, commentators and the public.
Up Next
Global cyber attack cripples British health service
- Video duration
- 01:08
- Video duration
- 01:08
Global cyber attack cripples British ...
Global cyber attack cripples British health service
There has been a major cyber attack on a number of organisations across the globe with Russia and Britain's health system appearing to be the worst affected. Vision courtesy ABC
Up Next
Ivory Coast army to quell mutiny
- Video duration
- 00:33
- Video duration
- 00:33
Ivory Coast army to quell mutiny
Ivory Coast army to quell mutiny
Ivory Coast has launched a military operation "to re-establish order" on the third day of a nationwide army mutiny over bonus payments.
Up Next
James Clapper: US 'under assault' from Trump
- Video duration
- 01:17
- Video duration
- 01:17
James Clapper: US 'under assault' from ...
James Clapper: US 'under assault' from Trump
Former US director of National Intelligence James Clapper tells CNN that President Donald Trump is undermining the nation's institutions after his decision last week to fire FBI director James Comey.
Up Next
North Korea's leader in 'state of paranoia'
- Video duration
- 01:26
- Video duration
- 01:26
North Korea's leader in 'state of ...
North Korea's leader in 'state of paranoia'
US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, blasted North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch saying it stemmed from leader Kim Jong Un's 'state of paranoia'.
Up Next
New version of ransomware worm expected
- Video duration
- 01:12
- Video duration
- 01:12
New version of ransomware worm expected
New version of ransomware worm expected
Cyber security experts warning that new versions of the ransomware that crippled businesses and schools across the globe may wreak fresh havoc as employees return to work.
Costa Concordia captain sentenced to 16 years
The former captain of the doomed Costa Concordia is found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in the loss of the giant cruiseliner which left 32 people dead.
Free pending the decision, Schettino, 56, reported to a Rome prison to start his sentence as soon as he was told of the verdict, his lawyer Saverio Senese said.
"As always, Italy needs to find a scapegoat," Senese told reporters, adding that his client had waited for word of his fate alone outside the prison gates rather than stay at home with his family.
Related Content
Schettino has always maintained that he was not solely responsible for the disaster. His lawyer said he might appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. "I think there have been serious abuses here," he said. "I never give up."
The Costa Concordia was carrying more than 4200 passengers and crew, when it hit rocks off Giglio, tearing a hole in its side and eventually keeling over.
Schettino was lambasted by the Italian media and branded "Captain Coward" for leaving the stricken ship while a chaotic night-time rescue operation was in full flow. Critics accused him of bringing shame to the whole country through his actions.
Reuters