Former Captain Responsible For Biggest Cruise Disaster In Recent History Seeks Early Release from Prison

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Thirteen years after the Costa Concordia disaster, its disgraced captain, Francesco Schettino, is seeking early release from his 16-year prison sentence.

The ship’s captain, Francesco Schettino.
Francesco Schettino.

Schettino, who was convicted on multiple counts of manslaughter and abandoning ship, has applied for a “semi-liberty” release under Italian law.

The provision allows individuals who have served at least half their sentence to request limited freedom.

A surveillance court in Rome is scheduled to review Schettino’s request on 4th March 2025, when judges will decide whether to grant his appeal or require him to remain incarcerated.

Schettino has reportedly demonstrated good behaviour during his imprisonment, earning privileges such as 45 days of annual leave and permission to work digitising judicial documents.

Still, any move to reduce his sentence is controversial, given his role in the Costa Concordia tragedy, which claimed 32 lives.

Survivor reactions and public controversy

The tragedy unfolded on 13th January 2012, when Schettino veered Costa Concordia off its planned route near the island of Giglio for a risky “salute” manoeuvre.

The ship struck submerged rocks, rupturing the hull and leading to the vessel capsizing with over 4,000 passengers and crew aboard.

For survivors, the idea of Schettino returning to his normal life stirs strong emotions.

“It’s sad to know that he could return home… Regardless of the judges’ decision, we are certain that Schettino will live the rest of his days with the weight of this tragedy on his shoulders. This is the greatest punishment for him.”

Vanessa Brolli, a survivor of the disaster

Schettino began serving his sentence in May 2017 after exhausting all legal appeals.

His conviction stemmed not only from the ship’s deviation from its route but also from his actions during the disaster, including abandoning the ship while passengers were still aboard.

The Costa Concordia, a 114,147-gross-ton cruise ship, remained partially submerged off Giglio’s coast for months after the accident.

In September 2013, a delicate and costly parbuckling operation brought the ship upright.

In July 2014, Costa Concordia was refloated and towed to Genoa for dismantling, a process that cost an estimated $1.2 billion USD, more than double the ship’s construction cost.

The final scrapping was completed in July 2017, just as Schettino began his prison term.

The Costa Concordia disaster not only led to significant changes in cruise ship safety protocols but also left an indelible mark on maritime history.

Survivors and victims’ families continue to grapple with the memories of that night, while the wreckage served for a long time as a stark reminder of the human cost of negligence.

As the court reviews Schettino’s bid for early release, the decision will reignite debates about justice, accountability, and the long-lasting impact of the tragedy.

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