Costa Concordia captain tripped and fell off ship

Costa Concordia's Captain Francesco Schettino said he tripped and fell into the water as the vessel listed.

Schettino claimed he never intended to leave the ship before his passengers.

Around 21 passengers still remain unaccounted for but the search was stopped because the cruise ship shifted on the rocks off the Tuscan island of Giglio.

Rescue divers were unable to continue and rough seas have been forecast for the coming days.

The weather forecast also postponed the commencement of the week-long process to remove the fuel on board the vessel which amounts to half a million gallons.

Italy's parliament has been warned by the environment minister of the ecological implications should the ship sink while still carrying the amount of fuel.

The ship's captain has been accused by the ship's operator Crociere Costa SpA of making an unapproved detour risking ship and passenger safety.

Schettino said that he was thrown in the sea when the ship suddenly listed and he had not abandoned anyone.

Audio recordings of conversations between the captain and the coastguard officer have resulted in certain phrases being used as a Twitter hashtag and t-shirts being printed.