Operation to remove fuel from cruise ship

The operation to pump thousands of tons of fuel oil from the stricken ship, the Costa Concordia, is to go ahead at the weekend.

A large barge named the Meloria has moored alongside the ship to begin the delicate operation.

Bart Huizing, head of operations at Smit salvage, said: "We don't see a big risk in an oil spill but if weather deteriorates nobody can tell what the vessel will do."