Giglio Costa ConcordiaA court in Italy is proceeding with preliminary hearings to consider evidence whether Captain Francesco Schettino will face trial for criminal charges for his involvement in the Costa Concordia disaster. 

Schettino, labelled "Captain Calamity" in the press, appeared at the proceedings yesterday, faces a trial on charges of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning ship. 

The Italian prosecutors requested the indictment of four crew members in the case, including the ship’s helmsman, as well as Costa employee Roberto Ferrarini, the head of Costa Crociere’s "crisis unit" who is accused of delaying the evacuation of the cruise ships.

The island of Giglio, which is the site of the stricken vessel, has requested permission to sue Captain Schettino, alleging that the island’s image as a beautiful tourist spot has been irreparably damaged by the disaster. The island’s lawyers are seeking damages of 80 million euros.

The Costa Concordia remains in the water at the entrance to the island’s harbor.  Image courtesy of Giglio News.