Mount Prospect man’s parents missing in Italian cruise ship disaster

• Reprints

Gerald and Barbara Heil, in a photograph released by the U.S. Embassy in Rome, who are believed to have been on board the Costa Concordia cruise ship. | U.S. Embassy in Rome

Updated: February 18, 2012 8:11AM

A Mount Prospect man confirmed his parents are among the missing aboard the crippled cruise ship Costa Concordia, which remains half underwater after hitting a submerged rock off the coast of Italy.

“We can confirm that our parents, Barb and Gerry Heil, are the two Americans that are missing,” John Heil, a Mount Prospect insurance agent, said in a statement issued through his office Monday.

Gerald Heil is 69, and his wife is 70. They live in White Bear Lake, Minn.

“We are waiting patiently for the rescuers to try to find our parents,” the statement continued. “Our prayers and thoughts are with our parents, those others that are still missing and their families, and the brave rescuers. We are working closely with the U.S. embassy in Italy and are confident that everything is being done to find our parents. We have no further comment at this time. We request that you respect our privacy at this difficult time.”

The Heils have not been seen since the Costa Concordia ran aground near Tuscany on Friday night, the Heil family said.

Six people are confirmed dead, and prosecutors are investigating the ship’s captain for alleged manslaughter, abandoning ship and causing a shipwreck. The ship’s owner says the captain, Francesco Schettino, caused the crash by deviating from the authorized course.

Rescue operations were on hold Monday as rough seas buffeted the partially submerged wreck. Sixteen people, including the Heils, have yet to be found.

Sarah Heil, a daughter of the couple, told WBBM radio in Chicago that her retired parents had been looking forward to their 16-day vacation.

“They raised four kids and sent them all to private school, elementary to college, so they never had any money,” Sarah Heil said. “So when they retired, they went traveling. And this was to be a big deal — a 16-day trip. They were really excited about it.”

Contributing: AP