Germans sue Schettino

A group of 19 German passengers has filed criminal charges in Germany against captain Francesco Schettino over the capsizing of Costa Concordia.

"Charges have been filed and they must now be examined," Christian Kuhnert, a prosecutor in Bochum, told AFP.

He explained that charges could be pressed under German law even though the disaster took place abroad.

A lawyer for the group, Hans Reinhardt, was quoted as saying his clients were filing charges "on suspicion of negligent bodily harm, abandonment, endangering shipping and failure to offer assistance to persons in danger."

A total of 32 people are feared dead after the Costa Cruises vessel hit rocks off Italy on 13 January.

Schettino is under house arrest, accused of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning ship.

In Italy, consumer rights’ association Codacons said 70 passengers have joined a class action suit against the shipowner.

And in France, survivors are also expected to file suits against the cruise operator.

A crewman has already taken legal action against parent Carnival Corp in the US.

Costa Cruises has meanwhile offered EUR 11,000 ($14,500) in damages to passengers and has promised to reimburse the cost of the cruise as well as other expenses.

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