Costa Concordia Captain To Sue After Sacking

The captain of the Costa Concordia is suing for wrongful dismissal, his lawyer has revealed.

Some 32 people were killed after the vessel ran into a rock and capsized off the Tuscany coast in January.

Italian skipper Francesco Schettino was sacked by Costa Cruises, but he is appealing against the decision.

"It is the right of every worker to appeal against his dismissal and Captain Schettino has done no more than exercise that right," lawyer Bruno Leporatti said.

"There is nothing to contest or be amazed about, unless we want to say that what the law allows for all citizens doesn't apply for Francesco Schettino."

Mr Schettino was held up to ridicule in Italy and abroad following the January 13 disaster off the Tuscan island of Giglio.

The angry order to "Get back on board, damn it!" delivered by a coastguard officer to Mr Schettino over the telephone after he had abandoned his ship was printed on T-shirts in Italy.

He stands accused by prosecutors of causing the accident by sailing the luxury cruise liner too close to shore.

He faces charges of multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship, and preliminary hearings will begin on October 15.

Investigators believe Mr Schettino brought the 290-metre long vessel too close to shore, delayed evacuation and lost control of the operation during which he left the sinking ship while many of the 4,200 passengers and crew were still on board.

The Naples-born captain has always acknowledged making mistakes once it became clear that the 144,400-tonne Costa Concordia was in trouble, but has said he was not the only one who should be blamed for the tragedy.