(Image Source: The New York Times)

BY ALLIE SPILLYARDS

The search continues for passengers missing after an Italian cruise ship capsized near the Tuscan coast this weekend -- and as of Sunday afternoon in the US, the death toll had climbed to five. Accounts from survivors are pouring in, and according to Australia’s News Limited…

“Many survivors have spoken of the confusion and fear as the ship began to sink, with passengers jumping from the deck to swim to safety and others pushing their way on board life boats and fighting over life jackets.”

An American couple tells CNN -- they never got guidance from the crew.

“The people manning these boats were just cooks and shopkeepers in the boat. They weren’t sailors. It wasn’t the captain or the officers. Never heard from any of those guys. Never heard their voices. Never saw any of them. They never helped us to evacuate. We were totally abandoned.”

And two other American survivors tell NBC’s Today Show -- passengers had to lean on each other.

“It was horrible. The only thing that worked for us was the passengers. You know, it’s amazing none of us spoke the same language but we all knew how to take care of each other. But the crew couldn’t figure that out.”

So who’s to blame? The captain? According to the Huffington Post...

“Authorities are holding the Italian captain for investigation of suspected manslaughter and abandoning his ship among other possible charges. According to the Italian navigation code, a captain who abandons a ship in danger can face up to 12 years in prison.”

The death toll is expected to rise to as high as 20, and the BBC’s Matthew Price notes...

“Considering that more than 4,200 people were on board, and that many survivors have complained that, as far as they were concerned, the crew was not prepared for such a disaster, that is perhaps remarkable.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, Italian officials say 15 people are still missing. Rescue crews are still searching the waters.