Capsized Costa Concordia turns into disaster tourism site

Hoards of tourists headed to the Italian island of Giglio on Sunday to see the capsized Costa Concordia with their own eyes.

The cruise liner, carrying more than 4,200 passengers and crew, ran aground off the Mediterranean island more than one week ago and has now become an unlikely tourist attraction.

"We were curious about seeing what happened and to see it close up," said Antonella Totti, who had travelled from the Tuscan town of Follonica.

However, ferry services were booked out and many tourists found themselves disappointed.

Those who did manage to reach Giglio were shocked by the sight of the half-submerged ship, which hit a rock on January 13.