Schettino has been handed a 16-year prison sentence, according to a verdict broadcast live on the BBC.

Schettino has also been banned from being the master of a ship for five years, which caused some confusion given the prison term he has been given.

He was also convicted of causing the accident and deserting his post, the Guardian reported.

Schettino was not present as the sentence was handed down and will remain free pending an appeal, the newspaper said.

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