At a news conference in Genoa, the head of Costa Cruises, a unit of Carnival Corp, rejected suggestions that the sheer size of the cruise ship had made it impossible to evacuate the more than 4,000 people onboard safely.
I understand there being confusion in getting off the ship, but having done so, couldn’t people swim? It looks like they were just yards from land.
At a news conference in Genoa, the head of Costa Cruises, a unit of Carnival Corp, rejected suggestions that the sheer size of the cruise ship had made it impossible to evacuate the more than 4,000 people onboard safely.
There were a lot of elderly people aboard who probably couldn’t have swum very far if at all.
And even jumping into the water would have injured or concussed many, leading tom possible drowning, thats a long jump.
Just getting off the ship would have been a problem - the ship apparently heeled over too much for some people who were in interior spaces/staterooms to get up the hallways - the elderly, etc.
Some people did swim to shore.
It was night time - too dark for anyone to see if any land was nearby. Fortunately some passengers jumped and got to land anyway.
That was my first thought too. Obviously it could be deceiving, but the first shots I saw, they were certainly no more than 1/4 mile.
Screenplay being written in 3, 2, 1...and you can bet your tail that the most EVIL, INCONSIDERATE of the men will be the richest ones. If there are any CEOs, they'll be the ones throwing women and children overboard.
Many probably could swim -- given the right conditions, attire, and preparedness. Bobbing in the water, at night while dressed for dinner, I'm not sure.
I did the full clothing swim test at USAFA years ago. I would not want to try it now.