Race to rescue Concordia missing

Six people are known to have died after the Costa Concordia crashed into rocks off Italy's west coast on Friday night.

The ship's owners have blamed the captain for Friday's crash, saying he changed course towards an island, BBC News reports.

Capt Francesco Schettino has been detained on suspicion of manslaughter and is due to appear shortly in court.

Capt Schettino, 52, has also been accused of abandoning his vessel before all the passengers had been evacuated.

He is to answer questions from a magistrate who will decide if he is to remain in custody.

Italian media have released a recording of a conversation between Capt Schettino and a coast guard official that casts doubt on the caption's statement that he stayed on the Costa Concordia until all the passengers were evacuated.

Meanwhile, as the rescue operation continues, plans are being made to remove the vessel's fuel oil before it leaks out and damages a maritime preserve.

The ship is said to be stable after it shifted on Monday, putting a halt to the search for several hours.

Dutch salvage firm Smit, hired by Costa Cruises to remove the fuel, said the operation would take two to four weeks.

A man involved with the salvage operation told the BBC they hoped to begin pumping by Thursday or Friday.

Meanwhile, Italian officials have denied a newspaper report that a seventh body had been found overnight on the vessel.

Details also at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16587849