THE TORRID WATERS OF THE CONCORDIA

“Francesco Schettino, I’ll give you six days to tell the truth about what happened immediately after the announcement to abandon ship. Only six days.” With this ultimatum the Moldovan Domnica Cemortan back on the tragedy of the Concordia which counted 32 victims in the water in front of the Isola del Giglio. But there are those who do not can not forget those moments.

Daniele aged 35 is a hairdresser from Rome. 13th January 2012 he embarks the ‘Costa Concordia’ from the port of Civitavecchia. With his colleague, they are to join up with a group of hairdressers that are participating in the selection of a TV talent-show. It’s dinner time, there has been no time for the “welcome aboard ceremony”, which passengers had to attend in order to be informed on the rules. The meals were already on the table. Just time enough to fill the glasses and a loud bang went off taking everyone by surprise. What could it have ever been? A moment later the lights went out. Well, if this was how the crew presented themselves, they really did so with a bang! And then the beacon light went on which lit up the Commander’s profile.

No way! No hope of any lights coming on! Everything is moving, objects walking-or rather they are flying. Cups and plates are falling from the restaurant on the upper floor. The tables and even the chairs are shooting into the air like splinters. Oh dear, what’s going on? The people are numbstruck, their fear begins to mount. The hysterical cries of the children intermingle with the yells of the passengers present, resounding in the tragedy. A tragedy which develops into panic when a a side of the vessel begins to slowly subside. The Concordia is sinking. It is necessary to go on deck to get onto the life-saving boats. The Philipines who were on board, were beaten and assailed by the crowds. They were waiting for the Commander’s orders. But he did not turn up.

The passengers were in a fit. Daniele some time after also managed to get into a lifeboat, but it was suspended in mid-air above the bridge. He could not understand why. He had to climb over to get back onto the deck. In his way, lay injured people that collided into him on every side. By now he was walking on the windows because the wall with the fixtures was now the floor. How frightening to see all that water surging high at that speed! Many injured passengers were stuck in those windows. As best they could, Daniele and his group pulled on someone or launched a foothold.

Here’s the ladder. Tall and straight with no cutting angle. An iron ladder. Looking at it, it was easy to understand that it wasn’t going to be an easy job to do. A Spanish lady, drawn with fatigue and already in a panic, begged Daniele to take her two children over. One of 4 and the other 2. She can’t make it up the ladder He’s young and can save the children. Daniele shut his eyes. He’s not really too familiar with children. And then he is petrified. Oh Lord what do I do? He prayed. God help me, I can’t take on the responsibility for the lives of these two beings. He plucked up courage, made the sign of the cross and pushed ahead the older child from behind . The smaller he picked up and carried on his shoulders, and with the maximum concentration they climbed the stairs. They made it! Well done, now comes the mother. But the Spanish lady was late arriving-she stayed behind.

And now one needs only to climb up onto the highest level of what remains of the ship. And climb down. There were rescuers. But it was dark and difficult to see. The only certainty was the need to overcome a precipice. In the end, Daniele, like many others , made it. The children were saved. Just a few hours to go and finally they saw their Mum again. At Porto Santo Stefano, Dad was there. with a baby in his arms. Their third son. The man kneels down in front of Daniele and thanks him as though he were a saint. “You have saved my family. Thank You”. He repeats continuously as though reciting a heartfelt responsorial Psalm. Two years analysis for Daniele. But the tragedy cannot be cancelled. Sleepless nights and nightmares. The tsunami, the recurring dream. “My life has changed. I do not place importance on superficial things in our existence. I avoid unnecessary disputes, waste of time and hypocrites. It won’t lead to anything. You bet! Tragedies like these certainly help one understand what the real values are, not the models we pursue. I would never have wanted to find myself in such a situation as a parent having to save both wife and kids “.