Surviving Indian crew members of Italian cruise ship arrive in Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 20 (ANI): Rescued Indian crew members of the capsized Italian vessel Costa Concordia arrived at Mumbai International Airport this morning.

Vinit Bhansingh, a crew member, was received by his mother.

Exhausted and shaken after his ordeal, Bhansingh praised the Indian Embassy in Italy and the cruise company for support extended to all Indian survivors.

"I just would want to say this, that we want to thank the company and the embassy, they have helped us a lot, even in Italy the embassy helped us very much, and even the company has taken good care of us," said Bhansingh.

Christopher Vaity the ship's chief security officer, defended the staff by stating that all emergency procedures were followed to the letter and this allowed them to save many lives.

"Whatever we have done, we have done the best to save the passengers and the crew," said Vaity.

Eleven people were confirmed dead and 22 went missing after the 114,500 tonne ship hit a rock and sunk off the Island of Gilgio in Italy about a week back.

The ship's captain, Francesco Schettino, who has been blamed for the accident is put under house arrest since Tuesday.

The ship was carrying more than 4,200 people, out of which 203 were Indians.

Only one Indian national, Russel Terence Robello, 33, remains untraceable. (ANI)