The appeals trial against the captain of the crashed Costa Concordia liner will start in April.

The appeals trial against the former captain of the Costa Concordia cruise liner that crashed four years ago, killing 32 people, will start in Florence on April 28.

Massimiliano Gabrielli, member of the Justice for the Concordia legal team representing victims, said he would fight for plaintiffs to be awarded higher compensation, and for Concordia's owners, Costa Crociere, to be given heftier fines over security lapses.

Twelve months ago, a first instance court found Francesco Schettino guilty of manslaughter, causing multiple injuries, abandoning ship and other serious crimes.

It sentenced him to 16 years and one month in prison.

The 54-year-old has appealed the judgment, asking for more leniency, while the prosecution, which wanted him jailed for 26 years, has filed a counter-appeal with opposite aims.

Victims and Costa Crociere have also challenged last year's ruling.

Legal proceedings are unlikely to end with the appeals trial, as in Italy convictions can be appealed twice.

Schettino remains free because Italian prison sentences are usually not executed until all appeals proceedings are exhausted.

On January 13, 2012, under Schettino's command, the Concordia left its planned route and was steered close to the Italian island of Giglio, where it hit rocks and partially capsized.

There were 4229 people on board.