The Costa Concordia, in the harbor of the Tuscan island Giglio  © smh.com.au
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In response to the Costa Concordia cruise ship that capsized last week, Italian officials are calling for a ban on cruise ships sailing along sensitive areas of the Italian coastline.
Italy’s Environment Minister, Corrado Clini, has promised to protect the coast and pursue a ban, and three senators from the Italian Democratic Party have demanded that the government issue an emergency decree banning ships from the coast.
Italian environmental group Marevivo slammed the “proven and widespread” practice of allowing cruise liners close to shore “to create a picturesque setting both on board and on land.”
Approximately 2,000 tons of diesel oil has been released from the ship, in addition to numerous items–furniture, appliances–left to drift in the water.
More details on the ban can be found here.