Thaindian News

Mumbai, Jan 19 (IANS) Twenty-three Indian survivors of the sunken Italian cruise ship ‘Costa Concordia’ arrived in Mumbai Thursday.

While two members arrived in the afternoon, 21 others arrived in the evening via Emirates from Rome through Dubai.

Family members of all those who arrived were waiting for them at the airport and gave them a tearful welcome. Mothers hugged their sons, as they cried out in sheer relief that they are back home safe.

Survivors, however, blamed the ship captain for not facilitating rescue operations. Most complained that he was not to be found when he was needed the most during the rescue operations.

“The captain ran away like a coward and was not seen around during the rescue operations. I, along with other crew members helped save most of the passengers of the ship and could only board the second last life boat,” said Bharat Paithankar, who was the bartender on the ship.

The first batch of 15 Indians had earlier landed at Delhi.

Around 75 Indians of the 200 rescued from the ‘Costa Concordia’ returned home Thursday.

The remaining survivors are expected Friday, except for one sailor who has decided to stay back in Italy. Only one Indian is missing and efforts have been stepped up to trace him.

There were 203 indians on board - 202 of whom were crew members and one was a passenger.

The Italian luxury liner ‘Costa Concordia’ was carrying more than 4,200 people when it hit a reef near the Tuscan Island of Giglio.