World watches Vigili del Fuoco cruise ship hoist

News media around the world have relayed the images of a Vigili del Fuoco helicopter hoisting an injured crewman from the MS Costa Concordia, after it ran aground, sparking an evacuation and ongoing controversy. At around 22:00 hrs on 13 February, the cruise ship hit rocks just 150 m off Isola del Giglio, an island off the coast of Tuscany, Italy. On 15 January, around 36 hours later, television cameras recorded the rescue of a crew member, who was reported to be suffering from a serious leg injury. The man was airlifted from the deck of the heavily listing ship by the Italian fire service’s VF-57 helicopter.

The Agusta-Bell AB412SP was involved throughout rescue efforts, with flights to transport divers to the ship and to take off a honeymooning couple from South Korea. A number of Vigili del Fuoco boats were also integral to the evacuation mission, rescuing dozens of passengers trapped inside the ship.