Coastguard commander hailed a national hero

THE coastguard commander who ordered the captain of the capsized Italian cruise ship to go back aboard has become a hero in Italy, credited with saving the national honour on one of its darkest nights.

Italy has become enthralled with the tale of two captains. One is the coastguard’s Captain Gregorio De Falco, pictured, who ordered the ship’s captain to return to his vessel. The other is Captain Francesco Schettino, branded a coward for reportedly fleeing the ship and who is now accused of multiple manslaughter.

“Thank you, captain” was the headline in the country’s largest national newspaper, Corriere della Sera, yesterday, reflecting the gratitude of Italians who see Schettino’s behaviour as a national embarrassment. “Two men ... two stories, one who humiliates us, the other who redeems. Thank you Captain De Falco, our country badly needs people like you.”

An editorial in another newspaper La Stampa said Schettino “filled the void in the disgrace and lies department left by Berlusconi”.