Costa Concordia disaster compensation plan reached

ROME, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Passengers on the Costa Concordia when it ran aground off Italy can expect a lump sum for compensation, the Italian Association of Tour Operators said Friday.

The association said the decision to pay about $14,400 per passenger was reached during a meeting between Costa Cruises and consumer groups, CNN reported.

The compensation will be paid to all passengers regardless of age, the association said, and covers property damage or loss and psychological distress.

The cruise ship struck rocks and ended up on its side in waters off Italy's Tuscan coast near the island of Giglio Jan. 13. At least 16 people died and 16 others remained missing. About 4,200 passengers and crew members were on board.

Costa also will establish a psychological counseling program for passengers requesting it, the statement said. Separate agreements will be reached with passengers who were injured and needed treatment at the scene, and with the families of those who died.

Beyond the lump-sum payment, passengers would be reimbursement for the cost of the cruise and any travel expenses incurred because of the wreck, the statement said.

Costa Cruises and Italian authorities have criticized the ship's captain, Francesco Schettino, who is under house arrest and faces possible charges of manslaughter, shipwreck and abandoning ship.

Italian magistrate Francesco Verusio said investigations into the disaster would be "long and complicated" in part because of the amount of testimony that must be taken, ANSA reported.

Meanwhile, environmental agencies said the potentially disastrous leakage of fuel from the liner was limited and doesn't pose any long-range threats.