Maritime Accident News

Cruise Ship Accident Claims Life of Cruiser

A cruise ship accident involving a collapsing gangway claims the life of a cruise ship passenger and leaves another injured. The maritime accident took place on Saturday, July 24, 2010, in the Italian Riviera port of Genoa.

According to reports, a Spanish couple was in the process of boarding the MSC Splendida for a seven night cruise when the gangway taking them to the ship fell 30 feet into the water. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband has been reported as suffering severe head injuries.

The couple has been identified as 65-year old Maria Mercedes Bonastre and 65-year-old Fausto Del Charro Arraza, of Barcelona, Spain.

MSC Cruises, the owner of the cruise ship, has pointed the blame at the Genoa port authorities. “It seems that the incident happened after a walkway belonging to the maritime station gave way,” said director Pier Francesco Vago.

Investigators are trying to determine if high winds and seas played a role in the fatal cruise ship accident.

“This was a terrible tragedy but the exact dynamics still have to be established-it could have been caused by the wind which was very strong at the time,” said Port of Genoa director, Edoardo Monzani.

This is an unfortunate incident and our thoughts and condolences go out to the victim’s family and friends during this difficult time.

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