Spanish diver killed in Costa Concordia salvage operation

A Spanish diver died during work to salvage the Costa Concordia cruise liner.

The diver worked for Underwater Contractors Spain, and was involved in an underwater operation when the incident occurred, an official at Titan Micoperi said. Further details were not available.

The 114,500-tonne vessel hit rocks on Jan 13, 2012, killing 32 people. It was hauled upright in a complex “parbuckling” operation in September but still rests where it capsized, just outside the holiday island’s small port.

Divers are working to attach 30 massive tanks filled with air to the liner so that it can be lifted off the seabed in June and towed away to be dismantled, completing what will be the largest maritime salvage operation in history.