Initial reports suggested it had suffered a mechanical failure.
Claudio Burlando, the president of the Liguria region that encompasses Genoa, told SKY TG 24 that "the ship was being conducted by an on-board pilot and two tug boats, one in front and one behind. It was a manoeuvre done hundreds of times. We're all wondering what could have happened," he said.
[SUP]The container ship Jolly Nero (AFP/Getty images)[/SUP]
The disaster comes almost 18 months after the Costa Concordia cruise ship smashed into the island of Giglio, off the coast of Tuscany, with the loss of 32 lives.
As rescue workers and sniffer dogs searched through the rubble for survivors, the death toll steadily increased.
Four people were still missing, with some believed to be trapped in the wrecked internal lift in the tower.
The collision happened during a change of shift, meaning that there were more people in the tower than normal.
The collision happened at around 11pm local time when the 655ft-long Jolly Nero cargo ship was leaving Genoa’s port, the biggest and busiest in north-western Italy.
[SUP]The collapsed control tower at the entrance to Genoa harbour (Reuters)[/SUP]
Andrea Furgani, an ambulance doctor and one of the first rescuers, said the four injured harbour officials had been taken to hospital.
"The conditions were critical. They mainly suffered wounds caused by compression, broken bones and wounds on the chest," he told AP.
The ship is owned by an Italian shipping line, Ignazio Messina & C. SpA, and is one of a fleet of 14 cargo ships.
The owner of the ship, Stefano Messina, was in tears when he spoke to reporters at the scene.
"We are all utterly shocked, we’re desperate. Nothing like this has ever happened before. It’s an unimaginable tragedy. We are without words.”
The vessel has been impounded and investigators have opened an investigation. The captain has been detained for questioning.
“A tragedy like this has never happened here,” said Admiral Felicio Angrisano, the head of the Genoa harbour authority. He said it was too early to determine what had caused the collision.
Only one victim has so far been identified – Daniele Fratantonio, 30, who worked for the Coast Guard.
Claudio Burlando, the president of the Liguria region that encompasses Genoa, told SKY TG 24 that "the ship was being conducted by an on-board pilot and two tug boats, one in front and one behind. It was a manoeuvre done hundreds of times. We're all wondering what could have happened," he said.
[SUP]The container ship Jolly Nero (AFP/Getty images)[/SUP]
The disaster comes almost 18 months after the Costa Concordia cruise ship smashed into the island of Giglio, off the coast of Tuscany, with the loss of 32 lives.
As rescue workers and sniffer dogs searched through the rubble for survivors, the death toll steadily increased.
Four people were still missing, with some believed to be trapped in the wrecked internal lift in the tower.
The collision happened during a change of shift, meaning that there were more people in the tower than normal.
The collision happened at around 11pm local time when the 655ft-long Jolly Nero cargo ship was leaving Genoa’s port, the biggest and busiest in north-western Italy.
[SUP]The collapsed control tower at the entrance to Genoa harbour (Reuters)[/SUP]
Andrea Furgani, an ambulance doctor and one of the first rescuers, said the four injured harbour officials had been taken to hospital.
"The conditions were critical. They mainly suffered wounds caused by compression, broken bones and wounds on the chest," he told AP.
The ship is owned by an Italian shipping line, Ignazio Messina & C. SpA, and is one of a fleet of 14 cargo ships.
The owner of the ship, Stefano Messina, was in tears when he spoke to reporters at the scene.
"We are all utterly shocked, we’re desperate. Nothing like this has ever happened before. It’s an unimaginable tragedy. We are without words.”
The vessel has been impounded and investigators have opened an investigation. The captain has been detained for questioning.
“A tragedy like this has never happened here,” said Admiral Felicio Angrisano, the head of the Genoa harbour authority. He said it was too early to determine what had caused the collision.
Only one victim has so far been identified – Daniele Fratantonio, 30, who worked for the Coast Guard.