Captain’s Lover: I Was on Bridge During Costa Concordia Collision

Testimony feeds speculation over whether captain was distracted or showing off

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Tiziana Fabi / AFP / Getty Images

Moldovan Domnica Cemortan, who was spotted with Costa Concordia's captain Francesco Schettino during the spectacular crash of his cruise ship in 2012, takes place for Schettino's trial on July 17, 2013 in a local theatre in Grosseto.

At the trial of Costa Concordia captain Francesco Schettino, his lover testified on Tuesday that they were on the bridge together when the ship ran aground.

Italian media have speculated whether the captain, who faces charges of manslaughter and abandoning ship, was distracted by her presence or was even showing off during the close sail-past of the island of Giglio, BBC reports.

Domnica Cemortan, a Moldovan dancer previously employed by the company that operated Costa Concordia, admitted to being romantically involved with Schettino only after being pressed.

Schettino faces up to 20 years in prison for the January 2012 shipwreck that claimed 32 lives.

[BBC]