ITALY-SHIPPING-TOURISM-DISASTER-SALVAGE

Members of the US salvage company Titan and Italian firm Micoperi inspect on September 18, 2013, the wreck of Italy’s Costa Concordia cruise ship after emerging from water, near the harbour of Giglio Porto. Salvage operators in Italy lifted the Costa Concordia cruise ship upright from its watery grave off the island of Giglio in the biggest ever project of its kind. The ship was upright for the first time since the January 13, 2012 tragedy, and led to applause and cheers in the port, in a dramatic climax to the massive salvage operation. Local residents and survivors spoke of an eerie feeling as the ship rose, saying the sight reminded them of the tragedy that claimed 32 lives.. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO