Six months since the tragedy which killed 32 people, salvage teams are still working to remove a 140-tonne rock from the hull of the Costa Concordia, which ran aground off the Italian coast in January.

The rock is wedged in the bowels of the cruise liner and needs to be cleared away before the ship can be tilted upright and eventually moved.

"We are making holes in the rock in order for us to remove it in three sections. One of these sections will remain on Giglio as a memorial to what took place here," said salvage expert Carlo Femiani.

Rather than putting off tourists, the wreckage has become something of an attraction, although most locals cannot wait to see the ship go.

"While the ship remains here our spirit is the same as it was the first night. When the ship goes Giglio can start breathing again," said Giglio resident Ivo Baffigi.

On Friday the island will mark the six month anniversary, with a mass followed by a concert at the time the ship hit the rocks.