Salvage teams are back at work on the wrecked Costa Concordia off the Italian island of Giglio.<br/> <br />They had been repeatedly delayed by stormy weather, but are now preparing to extract the more than 2,300 tonnes of diesel fuel in an effort to prevent an environmental catastrophe.<br/> <br />Officials have estimated that the salvage operation will take between seven and 10 months once preparations have been completed.<br/> <br />This means the huge hull will remain where it rests at least until the end of the year.<br/> <br />The 290-metre-long vessel ran aground and partially-capsized on January 13.<br/> <br />At least 17 people died in the accident, and 15 others are still missing.<br/> <br />By tonnage, the Costa Concordia is the largest passenger shipwreck ever.<br/> <br />Travis Brecher, Reuters
