•  The luxury cruiser was carrying 4200 people when it capsized off the cost of Italy
• Three confirmed dead,  at least 50 still missing
• Passengers Evacuated To Nearby Island
• Power Failure Could Be Responsible, Says Sea Industry Expert

Tragedy: A terrified passenger said it was 'like a scene from the Titanic' as the ship began to sink and people were ordered into lifeboats and airlifted to safety

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A ship has run aground off the Italian coast. Three people have been confirmed dead. The AFP news agency is reporting that 70 passengers are still missing as divers search the stricken vessel.

 

An evacuation operation involving five helicopters, from the coast guard, navy and air force, as well as boats and divers was launched after the luxury liner began to take on water. More than 4,000 people were rescued, though the search continues. Those pulled from the water are being sheltered in hotels, schools and churches on the island.

 

A passenger took this photo of a group of passengers in life-jackets on board the liner as they waited to be rescued
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"An incident occurred near the island Isola del Giglio of the coast of Italy. The evacuation started promptly, but the position of the ship has worsened, making it more complicated to complete the last part of the evacuation. At this moment, the cause of the incident cannot yet be confirmed."

Reports suggest there were around 1,000 Italians on board, as well as 500 Germans, 160 French and more than 1,000 crew members. The Mediterranean cruise was en route to Savona, with further stops scheduled for Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Cagliari and Palermo.

"Our first thoughts go to the victims and we would like to express our condolences and our closeness to their families and friends," said Costa.

 The Costa Concordia lies partly submerged this morning after hitting rocks. So passengers were rescued by helicopter