More Bodies Found In Capsized Italian Cruise Ship

The "Costa Concordia" after the cruise ship, with more than 4,000 people on board, ran aground and keeled over off the Tuscan coast.

The confirmed number of deaths in the sinking of a luxury cruise liner off the west coast of Italy has risen to five with the discovery of two more bodies in the flooded stern of the ship.

The discovery came hours after firefighters rescued a third survivor.

Most of the 4,000 people on board were evacuated in lifeboats or swam to safety, while three people were found alive still on board the vessel, including a South Korean couple on their honeymoon.

The ship's operator, Costa Crociere, said the "Costa Concordia" had been following its regular course when it hit a submerged rock.

The captain of the vessel, Francesco Schettino, who was arrested on suspicion of causing deaths, said the rock was not marked on his nautical chart.

He also denied claims by prosecutors that he left the ship before evacuation was complete.

compiled from agency reports