Italian officials: fuel removal imminent

GIGLIO, Italy (AP) — Italian officials say experts can begin pumping fuel from a capsized cruise ship while divers continue the search for people still missing.

Admiral Ilarione dell'Anna said Monday that the fuel removal could begin as early as Tuesday.

The national civil protection agency official in charge of the search said that would continue "as long as it is possible to inspect whatever can be inspected."

The decision to carry out both operations in tandem was made after it was determined that the Costa Concordia did not risk falling to a lower seabed.

Thirteen people have been confirmed dead in the accident Jan. 13 when the Concordia rammed a reef and sliced its hull with 4,200 on board. Nineteen are known missing.

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