The Costa Concordia, a luxury cruise ship operated by Costa Crociere, sank off the small island of Giglio in Italy's Tyrrhenian Sea. The incident occurred after Captain Francesco Schettino maneuvered the ship too close to the shore, allegedly to perform a sail-by salute to locals. This reckless decision resulted in the ship striking underwater rocks, causing a massive gash in its hull, leading to water flooding into the ship at an alarming rate. As passengers and crew members began to comprehend the severity of the situation, chaos ensued on board.

Emergency protocols were not effectively implemented, and the evacuation process was riddled with confusion. Passengers were instructed to remain on board initially, even as the situation worsened. Many were trapped, while others made desperate attempts to escape the half-submerged ship. In total, 32 people lost their lives, with hundreds more injured. The rescue operations involved coastguard and emergency services, who worked tirelessly to save those stranded in the water.

In the aftermath, Schettino faced severe criticism for his decisions leading up to the tragedy and for abandoning the ship while passengers remained on board. The incident sparked widespread media coverage and raised concerns over maritime safety regulations and the responsibility of cruise ship operators. Additionally, it led to changes in how safety drills are conducted on vessels. The Costa Concordia was eventually salvaged, but not before it became a cautionary symbol of negligence in maritime history.