The shipwrecked Costa Concordia has been successfully refloated in preparation for towing it away for scrapping.
Authorities expressed satisfaction that the operation to float the Concordia from an underwater platform had proceeded without a hitch early Monday. The cruise liner struck a reef in January 2012 and capsized, killing 32 people.
It is the biggest ever maritime salvage attempt, which several international outlets are live streaming. You can watch the latest developments in the stream below.
The ship was set upright in September, and then crews fastened huge tanks to its flanks, like water wings, to float it.
Italy's environmental minister told reporters that the operation will only be finished when the ship is successfully transported to the port of Genoa for scrapping. Towing is set for later this month.
Costa Concordia floats for first time in two years. Salvage operation latest: http://t.co/r403nY2Yp3 (Pic:AFP/Getty) pic.twitter.com/b54XBfGA1V— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) July 14, 2014
Concordia's Italian captain is being tried in Tuscany for manslaughter, causing the shipwreck and abandoning ship before all were evacuated.