There were 201 other Indians on the 114,500-tonne ship which toppled over after hitting rocks off the Tuscan island of Giglio, leaving six people dead and 16 missing.
"Why did god chose my brother for this disaster? I don’t want to believe that he is no more," said a worried but hopeful Kevin Rebello whose brother Russell (pictured) is the only Indian missing after Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia with 4,200 people on board capsized on Friday night. There were 201 other Indians on the 114,500-tonne ship which toppled over after hitting rocks off the Tuscan island of Giglio, leaving six people dead and 16 missing.
A resident of Vasai, Russell, 30, has been working as a steward on the cruise for five years. His family cannot believe that he is the unlucky one. "I am happy that the other Indians are safe, but I want to ask god, ‘why only Russell’," asked Kevin who lives in Milan in Italy.
Russell’s wife and three-year-old son are going through anxious moments. "His wife is very worried," said Kevin. "I reached the spot immediately after hearing about the accident. I am keeping my fingers crossed."
"My sister is desperately waiting to hear some good news. We are praying for Russell’s safety," said Russell’s brother-in-law Vikram Pinto.
Kevin said Russell boarded the ship in October 2011 and called his family whenever the cruise docked at a port. "I spoke to him last in November," he said, adding that Russell brought lots of gifts for everyone whenever he returned home.
“We have no information as yet on any Indian passenger missing apart from the crew member,” said external affairs minister SM Krishna. Meanwhile, the Indian embassy is arranging air tickets and documents for the rescued Indians. "They are safe, and will be sent to India," said Indian ambassador Debabrata Sahamea.
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