GIGLIO ISLAND, Italy, 19 Jan 2012 (From AFP) - Italian rescuers resumed their search on board a crashed cruise ship on Thursday, as salvage workers prepared to pump out fuel from its tanks to avoid an environmental disaster. The rescue operation had to be halted on Wednesday after the half-submerged ship shifted while rescuers were still inside, sparking fears that it could slip off its rocky resting place and plunge into the open sea. But a coast guard spokesman tests had been carried out to ensure that it was safe to resume the search and they would detonate explosives to make it easier to get into the vessel. Rescuers have so far recovered 11 bodies from the disaster and 21 more people are missing out of the more than 4,200 who had been on board the Costa Concordia when it hit rocks off the island of Giglio on Friday. There are 2,380 tons of fuel in its tanks -- a fact that has alarmed environmentalists worried about the potential impact of a leak on the pristine nature reserve and marine sanctuary off the shores of Tuscany. Dutch company Smit Salvage has said it is ready to pump out fuel before winds pick up later on Thursday, with widespread concern among rescue teams that choppy seas could force a suspension of search and salvage efforts. Salvage workers say there is currently no danger of large scale pollution off Italy's scenic Giglio Island but admit there is still a risk. Smit Salvage spokesman Kees Van essen said the operation to pump out heavy oil and 200 diesel was expected to take between two to four weeks. There will then be discussions between salvage companies and the ship's owners on how to remove the 17-deck ship's wreck if possible.

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