Five more bodies were retrieved from the half sunken Costa Concordia overnight, bringing the total death poll up to 11.

All five bodies were located in the rear of the ship close to the emergency evacuation point, according to Italian Coast Guard commander Cosimo Nicastro who said the deceased were all wearing life jackets, The Australian reported.

Overnight the Coast Guard also increased the total missing persons count from 14 to 25 passengers and possibly four crew members.

Costa Cruises’ parent company Carnival Corporation chief executive Micky Arison said in an online statement that the Company was saddened by the news of further deaths and was still committed to “rescue and recovery efforts... along with securing the vessel to ensure there is no environmental impact”.

“While this is a terribly sad time for everyone involved, we want to recognize the tremendous efforts of Concordia’s crew, who along with the Italian Coast Guard and authorities, helped to evacuate more than 4,000 passengers and crew members from the ship in very difficult conditions,” Mr Arison said.

“And we continue to offer our deep gratitude to the Italian authorities for their support and ongoing efforts.”

Meanwhile the ship’s captain, Francesco Schettino, who has been accused of manslaughter and abandoning the ship before assisting in evacuation, has been ordered to house arrest by a local court after audio emerged of the captain refusing to follow Coast Guard’s orders to return to the ship and help passengers.

According to media, the tape retrieved has recorded Italian Coast Guard Captain Gregorio De Falco demanding Captain Schettino return to the ship for a head count of how many passengers were on board.

The Captain responded by insisting that he could not return to the ship because it was too dark and the ship was tipping.

"And so what?” Captain De Falco shouted back.

“You want to go home, Schettino? It is dark and you want to go home?

“Get on that prow of the boat using the pilot ladder and tell me what can be done, how many people there are and what their needs are. Now!"

The Coast Guard Captain continued by telling Captain Schettino that it was an order and to quit making excuses.

“You have declared ‘Abandon ship’, now I am in charge,” he continued.

Although eventually agreeing to return to the ship, Coast Guard said he never did.

According to media, Captain Schettino could face up to 12 year imprisonment for abandoning the ship alone.