An American lady died and 4 different passengers had been injured when a “rogue wave” hit a Viking cruise ship crusing close to the southernmost tip of South America on an Antarctic cruise, the corporate stated Thursday.
The unidentified 62-year-old lady was hit by damaged glass when the wave broke cabin home windows on the Viking Polaris ship late Tuesday throughout a storm, Argentine authorities stated. The ship suffered restricted harm and arrived in Ushuaia, 1,926 miles south of Buenos Aires, the subsequent day.
“It’s with nice disappointment that we confirmed a visitor handed away following the incident,” Viking stated in a press release. “We have now notified the visitor’s household and shared our deepest sympathies.”
The 4 passengers injured had been handled onboard the ship by a health care provider and medical workers for non-life-threatening accidents, the corporate stated.
The ship itself sustained “restricted harm,” Viking stated.
“We’re investigating the info surrounding this incident and can provide our assist to the related authorities,” the corporate stated. “Our focus stays on the protection and wellbeing of our friends and crew, and we’re working instantly with them to rearrange return journey.”
Rogue waves, often known as “excessive storm waves” by scientists, are larger than twice the scale of surrounding waves and sometimes come unexpectedly from instructions aside from prevailing wind and waves, in accordance with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Suzie Gooding, who was on the ship when the incident occurred, informed WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina, that it felt just like the ship had struck an iceberg.
“All the pieces was superb till the rogue wave hit, and it was simply sudden. Surprising,” she stated. “We didn’t know if we should always get our gear prepared for abandoning ship.”
Viking stated it has canceled the ship’s subsequent scheduled departure, the Antarctic Explorer, slated to sail from Dec. 5-17. The Viking Polaris, a vessel that has luxurious services and was inbuilt 2022, has a capability for 378 passengers and 256 crew members.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
