Owned and operated by Costa Crociere, a supplementary of American- British Carnival Corporation and plc, the Italian cruise MS Costa was a Concordia class cruise ship built in Italy.

The name ‘Concordia’ was desired to project harmony and peace between European nations.

On 13 January 2012 the ship struck a rock which caused a 160 ft long hole ultimately drowning it in shallow water by the Tyrrhenian Sea just off the shore of Isolo del Giglio, Italy.

The number of the passengers on board was 4,200 and 16 deaths have been confirmed so far. Another 16 remain missing. - Photos by Agencies