A gas explosion aboard Sydney-based Emerald Princess has killed a crew member in New Zealand’s Port Chalmers.
The cruise liner, operated by Princess Cruises and part of Carnival Australia, was docked in the Dunedin port when a gas canister exploded around 4pm Australia-time yesterday.
Per News Corp, the man was killed when a 45kg gas bottle reportedly exploded and came into contact with the crew member.
Reports from local NZ publication, News Hub, claim the staff member was from the Philippines, with investigators travelling to Port Chalmers this morning to launch an investigation.
“The crewmember who died is a Filipino man and police are working with the cruise liner to support his family at this sad time,” Inspector Jason Guthries said in a statement this morning.
“Our role will be to discover the circumstances and cause of the accident which we understand has left one crew member dead.
“Authorities in Bermuda, where the ship was registered, had been informed.”
In a statement provided to Travel Weekly, a Princess Cruises spokesperson said, “We are assisting local authorities in their inquiries following an incident on board Emerald Princess while the ship was alongside at Port Chalmers in New Zealand yesterday.
“The incident happened during technical work on the hydraulic launching system on a tender vessel. We are deeply saddened that a member of Emerald Princess’ crew was fatally injured and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
“Emerald Princess is currently on a 12-night round trip cruise from Sydney to destinations in New Zealand. The ship will only depart from Port Chalmers once cleared to do so by local authorities pending the completion of their inquiries. Emerald Princess is currently on a seasonal deployment for cruises from Sydney.
Per News Hub, the ship’s captain relayed the sombre message over intercom to passengers after the freak accident.
“I repeat my earlier announcement for those of you who didn’t hear my announcement, as I know quite a few of you were ashore as we had a tragic incident occur this afternoon at approximately 17:10.”
“One of my crew members was filling a nitrogen gas bottle … and unfortunately one of the cylinders exploded, tragically killing the crew member.
“As the protocol requires, we are remaining alongside until an investigation is carried out.”
Australian passenger Krystal Friggieri, who was on board the Emerald Princess at the time of the explosion, told The New Zealand Herald she was on a nearby deck when the incident occurred.
“There was an explosion, it was pretty loud … all I saw then was the gas bottle spinning on the (wharf),” she said.
The Emerald Princess was on a 12-night round trip from Sydney to various New Zealand destinations, and was scheduled to leave at 6pm last night to sail to its final destination before heading back to Sydney.
The Emerald Princess can hold 3000 passengers and a crew of 1200.
