Costa Concordia captain tests negative for drugs

19/02/12 09:52 CET

world news

| |

The captain of the Costa Concordia, which ran aground off the Italian coast last month, has tested negative for drug and alcohol abuse.

Francesco Schettino is facing multiple manslaughter charges following the disaster which killed at least 17 people.

However, the test did show unexplained traces of cocaine in Schettino’s hair.

The analysis failed to show signs of tranquilisers which the captain said he was taking before the accident.

A group fighting for compensation from the ship’s owners say the drug test was unreliable.

More about: Accident, Costa Concordia, Italy, Shipwrecks

| |

Brazil: Rio and São Paulo reverse inflammatory transport price hikes

Two of Brazil's biggest cities, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have agreed to reverse increases in…

Bulgaria’s government u-turns, but fails to stem…

Thousands of people demonstrated in the Bulgarian capital Sofia against the the three-week old…

Greek coalition to resume crisis talks over state…

Greece's ruling coalition has so far failed to end a political crisis triggered by the closure of…

Obama trip to Berlin: style over substance?

Barack Obama's first trip to Berlin as president was portrayed as a visit between friends. Both country's leading families appeared to get along well - even the rarely seen husband of Chancellor…

Czech Republic could appoint its first woman as PM

The Czech Republic's ruling party, has proposed the popular lower house speaker Miroslava Nemcova to become the country's first woman prime minister. Her possible appointment follows the…