What Was the First Cruise Ship to Sink in 2007?

By Alice Nichols

The Costa Concordia cruise ship was the first cruise ship to sink in 2007. On January 13th, 2007, the luxury cruiser ran aground off the island of Giglio, Italy.

The tragedy occurred after its captain, Francesco Schettino, decided to sail too close to shore in order to perform a “salute” maneuver for passengers on board.

The impact of the ship hitting the rocks caused a gash in its hull, resulting in water entering and eventually sinking the vessel. Although there were some attempts by crew members to evacuate passengers and crew members by lifeboats and rafts, unfortunately 32 people lost their lives due to this terrible accident.

The Costa Concordia tragedy was a devastating loss both financially and emotionally. According to reports from The Guardian newspaper, it is estimated that over $1 billion (USD) was lost due to the destruction of the ship.

The aftermath of this accident resulted in numerous investigations into what had happened and why it happened. Schettino was ultimately found guilty for manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years in prison for his negligence in causing this terrible tragedy.

Conclusion:

In summary, the Costa Concordia cruise ship was the first cruise ship to sink in 2007 due to a tragic accident that resulted from its captain’s negligence. 32 people lost their lives and millions of dollars were lost with its destruction. Investigations into what had happened and why it happened resulted in Captain Schettino being found guilty and sentenced for his actions.