Workers begin anchoring Costa Concordia

GIGLIO, Italy, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Work crews In Italy have begun to anchor the cruise ship Costa Concordia as the first step in the process of raising the listing ship, officials said.

The anchoring began Thursday and workers expect the first phase to upright the ship will be completed by Sept. 19, Italian news agency ANSA reported. Salvage companies responsible for re-floating the ship said it should be removed from Giglio Island by the end of spring 2013, in time for the summer tourist season.

The ship ran aground and capsized Jan. 13, killing 32 passengers.