The lawyer for the captain of the Costa Concordia says his client has admitted the Italian cruise liner was too close to the coast.
Attorney Bruno Leporatti.
SOUNDBITE: Attorney for Francesco Schettino, the captain of the Costa Concordia, Bruno Leporatti saying:
"Captain Schettino admitted immediately the fact, and he is dismayed over the fact that the Costa Concordia was much too close to the coast. But the fact that the ship was so close to the shore is not an indication of responsibility, the problem was that he was too close to the coast and hit an obstacle that could have been avoided and foreseen."
Francesco Schettino was arrested a day after the disaster, accused of manslaughter and abandoning the ship before all of the people were evacuated. Prosecutors say he also refused to go back on board when requested by the coastguard.
Speaking to reporters, Leporatti also welcomed an Italian judge's decision to place his client on house arrest.
SOUNDBITE: Attorney for Francesco Schettino, the captain of the Costa Concordia, Bruno Leporatti saying:
"Custody, as you know, is intended to prevent the risk of escape, which has never existed, and, in my opinion, there is also no need for detainment, regardless of the seriousness of the case, which everyone can see from the grave loss of human life, which deeply affected Captain Schettino."
Five days after the cruise ship struck a rock and capsized -- Eleven people have been confirmed dead and 22 are still missing from more than 4,200 passengers.
Hopes of finding any more survivors have faded and salvage experts are preparing to pump out 2,300 tons of fuel from the vessel.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
