Shipwreck captain tests 'clear'

PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

It's emerged the captain of the wrecked Costa Concordia has tested negative for drug and alcohol abuse.

Francesco Schettino's been arrested on charges of multiple manslaughter after the cruise ship ran aground near the Italian island of Giglio last month.

At least 17 people lost their lives. Others are still missing.

But the consumers' association Codacons which has launched legal action against the ship's owners on behalf of the passengers, is questioning the reliability of the tests.

It says signs of tranquilisers which Schettino himself said he was taking before the accident have failed to show.

The tests did show unexplained traces of cocaine on Schettino's hair, but did not reveal any of the by-products in his hair follicles which normally show up in someone using the drug.

The scientist in charge of the tests, asked about the cocaine traces, said there had been a marginal problem which did not undermine the results of the analysis.

Paul Chapman, Reuters