accidents
Death on a cruise – giant wave hits Antarctic tourers
A passenger died in an accident on a cruise ship in southern Argentina (symbol image). photo
© Daniel Bockwoldt/dpa
Tragic accident on a cruise ship: A passenger dies when driving through a storm in the very south of Argentina.
One passenger was killed and four others injured when a huge wave crashed into a cruise ship en route to Antarctica. “It is with deep sadness that we confirm that a guest has died in connection with the incident,” Viking Cruises said on Thursday.
The “Viking Polaris” was on its way to the city of Ushuaia in the very south of Argentina late Tuesday when a “giant wave incident” occurred, it said. Four passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were treated by the ship’s doctor.
According to the Argentine newspaper “La Nación”, the ship flying the Norwegian flag is said to have sailed through a strong storm that evening. When the big wave hit, there was an accident on board, as a result of which an American died, the newspaper wrote. The company did not comment on the gender or the origin of the fatality.
The recently commissioned 378-guest cruiser sustained only limited damage and reached its terminus of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, the southern tip of South America, on Wednesday without further problems, the company said. The next planned trip of the ship was canceled after extensive consideration, said “Viking Cruises”. “Our focus is on the safety and well-being of our guests and crew.” Affected passengers were informed directly.