Like a scene from the Titanic: Astonishing pictures show lifeboats fleeing Costa Concordia moments after cruise ship ran aground

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The headlines across the globe described the aftermath of the Costa Concordia disaster as like a scene from the Titanic.

And these dramatic pictures, released this evening, show the accounts were not far wrong.

Lifeboats can be seen spilling from the sides of the boat into the gloomy waters off the island of Giglio as the cruise liner sinks into the sea.

Passengers at the rear on the starboard side wait to climb aboard those lifeboats which haven't already been deployed.

Disaster: Lifeboats can be seen fleeing the doomed Costa Concordia moments after it hit rocks off the Italian island of Giglio on January 13

Fleeing: The boats can be seen in the waters near the island of Giglio while passengers wait to board others still on board. At the prow of the ship, holidaymakers can be seen attempting to make their way to safety

Escape: A boat is seen near the front of the ship being lowered into the water, containing holidaymakers who minutes earlier had been enjoying dinner