PHOTO: A body believed to be that of Russel Rebello, pictured, has been found in a stateroom on the Costa Concordia. (Courtesy of Facebook)
A human body found in the wreck of the Costa Concordia is likely that of an Indian waiter, the last person unaccounted for in the January 2012 tragedy, according to media reports from Europe. The shipwreck is being dismantled in Genoa, Italy.
The British newspaper The Telegraph reported that the body, believed to be Russel Rebello, was found in a stateroom on the eighth deck crushed under overturned furniture. Salvage workers found an identity card in his trousers that included his name and photograph. The workers notified authorities, who ordered DNA tests to verify the identity.
The waiter's brother Kevin, who has maintained a Facebook page about Russel, confirmed that his family was notified. Here is an edited version of today's post:
"My younger brother Russel Rebello's body has finally been found on deck 8 in a cabin of the wrecked Concordia. I don't have words to express. Just my pain, my tears, my heart pounding harder and my body trembling when I broke the news to my parents a while ago. [They] now will have a sigh of relief, their constant prayers have been heard. Thanks to everyone who prayed and believed that one day he would be found. The Italian Civil Protection Agency and Costa Cruises Care Division this noon confirmed to me of the finding by the Ship Recycling agency working on the ship. … Now we wait for the DNA test and the procedures to give Russel his final resting place with honor, respect and a HERO'S welcome. India we are coming."
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