LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It was an emotional reunion at Louisville International Airport last night for three survivors from Kentucky who were on board the cruise ship that ran aground off the coast of Italy. As WDRB's Lindsay Allen explains, the group of friends are still in shock over the experience.
This group of friends from Kentucky starting planning their Italian cruise about a year ago. But in an instant on Friday night their vacation turned into a nightmare.
Lauren Moore of Bowling Green, and Jordan Powell and Nick Hope of Louisville, finally made back home two days after the ordeal began, landing in the Louisville International Airport late Sunday night.
Moore described her experience as "scary and chaotic."
All four were on board the Costa Concordia, which ran into a reef near an Island off the coast of Tuscany Friday.
The ship eventually began listing and tipped over, submerging part of it in water.
A sixth person who was killed was found this morning. Meanwhile, the frantic search continues for 16 others still missing.
The group of friends from Kentucky were among the lucky ones who were able to take lifeboats to a nearby island.
But they were only able to grab their cash and credit cards.
For their families back home, it was a gut wrenching weekend while they waited to hear if they were safe.
They finally got word early Saturday that their loved ones were OK.
Lauren's mother, Sarah Moore, says her daughter is "overwhelmed, in shock I think. And she wants to be normal. She's ready to get back to her normal life."
Nick Hope's father, Jack, says learning his son was safe "meant everything. "We're very happy it came out the way it did."
The cruise ship captain is now facing several allegations, including suspected manslaughter for abandoning ship before everyone else made it off safely.
The chief executive of the cruise line says the captain deviated from the course that had been programmed into the ship's navigation system.
He says an alarm is programmed to sound when that happens.
There are new reports that the rescue operations have been suspended this morning because the ship is rocking.
As for the three Kentucky survivors say their first order of business is to get some rest.
After arriving in Louisville late Sunday, they said they hadn't had any sleep in three days.
The cruise ship company says it appears the captain made "errors in judgment," including the unauthorized deviation from the ship's planned course and apparently not following evacuation procedures.
At least 4,200 people were aboard when the ship got in trouble. Six people are now confirmed dead and 16 more were still missing early Monday.
Officials suspended the rescue operation for the missing passengers Monday because of rough seas.
The captain is now in jail.
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