Prosecutors are searching for the Indonesian helmsman of the Costa Concordia after he failed to turn up to the trial of captain Francesco Schettino
The Indonesian helmsman who was steering the Costa Concordia the night it crashed, failed to turn up to the trial of captain Francesco Schettino yesterday.
Jacob Rusil Bin was due to give evidence to the court in Grosseto on Tuesday but did not make an appearance and now cannot be found.
Costa Concordia captain Francesco Schettino accuses the helmsman of misunderstanding his orders shortly before the ship was grounded on rocks off Giglio in January 2012.
The Telegraph reports that prosecutors in the trial are searching for Mr Rusli Bin and have contacted Interpol and the Italian embassy in Jakarta amid reports that he could be living in a village outside the city.
Mr Rusil Bin, who admitted charges of manslaughter, negligence and causing a shipwreck, previously negotiated a plea bargain and received a suspended sentence of 20 months.
Captain Francesco Schettino told reporters in Grosseto: “A man can’t just disappear like that.”
“He must have an identity, a credit card, he must be somewhere. He can establish the truth of what happened.”
The prosecution want the helmsman to appear at the next hearing, scheduled for April 14.
Out of the 4,200 passengers and crew onboard the Costa Concordia, 32 people lost their lives.
Francesco Schettino is currently on trial for manslaughter and abandoning ship and could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
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