Video: Report: Cruise ship captain says he tripped, fell into lifeboat

>>> operation at the site of that wrecked cruise liner is suspended for the day. the number of people still accounted for now up to 21 after a german woman thought to be missing was found alive and well in germany. meantime a bizarre explanation coming from the captain accused of abandoning the ship. a report now says he told the italian courts he accidentally tripped and fell into a lifeboat as passengers were the still on board. nbc's duncan gogolisagni. this was because of rough seas that the certainliers could not get back in there again.

>> yes, that's right. i think it's been a frustrating day for the rescued workers on the island. there are many of them. today they had wanted to blow four holes into the costa concordia so they could search places that up till now have been blocked. but that changed overnight when the ship moved ever so slightly meaning it was unsafe for divers to be on. so largely, there hasn't been much activity today. towards the end of the afternoon, a few helicopters went over and started dropping equipment on there. we understand that's going to be used in the coming days to start getting liquids off there. so really what we're seeing is a change of strategy away from a rescue mission and more salvage operation. so hope fading for the 20 plus people that are still missing.

>> duncan , we saw an incredible image earlier of what this wreckage at this point looks like from space. you see the vessel there on its side. i'm curious as to the status of this captain. we know he was under house arrest . and so many people still want to hear more of what he has to say. what is his status now?

>> reporter: yes. as you say, he's under house arrest about a few hours south of here in naples. yesterday he appeared before prosecutors. it's been coming out in the last hour in italian media, reporting that he told prosecutors that he turned too late. he apparently said he was trying to salute a former captain who lives on the island of giglio and by absolute, we mean a sail past blowing the horns. apparently that's what he told prosecutors but he said he turned too late and ended up in waters that are too shallow. we haven't had that confirmed but those are the latest reports coming out here.

>> duncan , thank you so much for your live report . up

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/newsnation/46043788/

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