Minn. couple among cruise ship missing

The Costa Concordia cruise ship lies on its side January 15, 2012 in the harbor of the Tuscan island of Giglio. Two bodies were found Sunday on the ship, taking the death toll in the disaster to five. More than a dozen are still unaccounted for. (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images)

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - A couple from White Bear Lake, Minn. is among those missing from the Costa Concordia cruise ship that crashed and tipped over off the Italian coast, according to family members.

The American Embassy in Rome has said 118 of the 120 Americans aboard the Costa Concordia have been accounted for, CBS Station WCCO reports.

But Sarah Heil told CBS Station WBBM the American embassy in Rome has confirmed her parents, Gerald and Barbara Heil, are still missing.

She said her parents had been looking forward to this trip for a long time.

Her brother, Aaron Heil, said they continue to wait for good news. They don't have much information on what is happening or the status of the search.

Gerald and Barbara have four children and 15 grandchildren.

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The luxury liner, which was carrying more than 4,200 people, hit a reef or rock near the island of Giglio on Friday night and flipped onto its side with a 160-foot gash in its hull.

At least five people were killed. The Coast Guard said 15 people are still missing.

Authorities are holding the Italian captain for investigation of suspected manslaughter and abandoning his ship among other possible charges. According to the Italian navigation code, a captain who abandons a ship in danger can face up to 12 years in prison.

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by catsmilee January 16, 2012 1:33 AM EST: My prayers are with the families, and with the missing that they be found.

For those that condemn prayers, and or so nasty on here - shame on you. A good wish, if you do not pray, is just as fine. I am not super religious, but I have no problem holding out hope that there may still be a miracle or two out there. And if not that, then I pray for comfort for their families, who are grieving.; Reply to this comment


by WilliamBruce46 January 15, 2012 10:51 PM EST: After the Costa Concordia disaster, we have taken a close look at the owner, Carnival Crusie Lines.

Here's the report:
http://williambruce.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/after-carnival-cruise-lines-shipwreck-in-italy-we-take-a-closer-look-at-the-company/; Reply to this comment


by cbsblogger January 15, 2012 8:43 PM EST: The only way that those who have perished in this reckless accident of incompetence and greed will not be in vain, is when the corporate puppets that caused this accident from the top down will be held fully and criminally prosecuted. Otherwise the deaths of the victims are in vain.

Civil suits are merely paid by shareholders and other peoples money. The CEO and those directly in charge need to spend 20 years at hard labor if they and underlings are found guilty of malfeasance, and the bar needs to be lowered not higher.; Reply to this comment