The captain of the Costa Concordia is to go aboard the shipwreck for the first time since it capsized two years ago as part of a new court-ordered search.

Lawyers for Captain Francesco Schettino asked the court in Grosseto to authorise the search to determine if any factors beyond human error contributed to the disaster. After searching the bridge and lifts last month, experts will examine the emergency generators today.

The court agreed on Tuesday to let Schettino go aboard. Judge Giovanni Puliatti stressed that the captain would be there to help, not ask questions.

The Concordia hit a reef off the Tuscan island of Giglio on January 13, 2012 and capsized, killing 32 people.

Schettino is on trial for manslaughter and other charges.

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