Cruise ship crash kills three sailors

[Red Sea Shadow]

A luxury cruise liner has crashed into a dock at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh, killing three members of the crew, officials say.

At least four other people were hurt when the Costa Europa, carrying 1,473 passengers, came into the harbour during bad weather at 0445 (0145 GMT).The dead sailors were an Indian, a Honduran and a Brazilian, the General Authority for Red Sea Ports said.The injured reportedly include three British women and an Italian man.They were in a stable condition in hospital, officials told the AFP news agency.

In a statement, Costa Cruises confirmed that the Costa Europa had damaged the starboard side of the hull, but said it was "now safely docked in port".

"We sadly have to confirm the deaths of three crew members," the Italian company said."The guests have been disembarked and are being accommodated in local hotels," it added.

Witnesses said Sharm al-Sheikh had been hit by fierce winds overnight and that the crash had left a 2m-wide hole in the hull.

The Costa Europa was on an 18-day cruise from Dubai to Savona, and had arrived in Sharm al-Sheikh from the Egyptian port of Safaga.

Source: BBC News - Egypt cruise ship crash kills three sailors

 

[Crowley]

Sucky news indeed; I'm surprised I didn't hear it actually, since I live close by. The ship should probably not have attempted to dock at that time, as it would have been approaching port broadside to the wind direction.

We have indeed had some high winds and one unfortunate result of the crash has meant that the local officals have kept Travco shut for a couple of days, even when everything returned to dead calm afterwards. No boats left Travco yesterday although Naama bay jetty was open, thankfully, since that's where our boats depart from.

All back to normal today though.

Cheers,

C.

 

[northern sole]

saw this boat on Friday the 26th on our way back in from the Thistlegorm, it was listing quite badly to starboard but did not know about the incident until we returned to Cyprus.
Incidently there were only 3 boats on the Thistlegorm that day, we were the first there and were led to believe a number of boats turned back because of the weather.

 

[Crowley]

They were probably Safari boats or boats out of Marsa Alam or Hurghada. Sharm El sheikh jetties were both shut for two days (well, Naama bay jetty opened on the second day) so that's a good reason, as the vast majority of boats to the 'gorm are from Sharm. It can get pretty hairy out there in the open sea and it's not uncommon for daily boats to turn back before everybody is vomiting topside!

Hope you enjoyed it here,

C.

 

[NickAyling]

Hi we are going to Sharm for three weeks and to do daily dives in May. Is the weather usually ok then for diving or is this weather you just had unusual?
I dont wish to be throwing up either there or back.....lol