Cruise ship rocked by severe winds, causing multiple injuries onboard, is caught on terrifying video
Norwegian Cruise Line issued a statement on Twitter Monday citing extreme wind — which it estimated to be at 100 knots — as the reason the Norwegian Escape cruise ship tilted Sunday night, injuring multiple passengers.
“Just before midnight on Sunday, March 3, Norwegian Escape encountered unexpected weather in the form of a sudden, extreme gust of wind, estimated at 100 knots, which resulted in the ship heeling to the port side,” the cruise line tweeted. “Several injuries were reported and those guests and crew received immediate attention or are being treated by the ship’s medical staff. There was no damage to the ship; she remains fully operational and continues her scheduled itinerary.”
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While the ship was not damaged, plenty of the passengers were shaken up by the sudden tilt, and, according to ABC News, at least eight people were taken to the hospital for their injuries.
“The scariest s*** just happened on this cruise. Chairs, tables, glass, people went flying to one side of the ship,” one person tweeted.
Passenger Samantha Foster described the horrifying incident on Facebook: “So it was a VERY SCARY NIGHT on the Norwegian Escape. The boat tilted almost completely on its side. … I kept thinking it can’t possibly keep tipping and it kept tipping. Everything in our room falling and sliding ….I have never been so scared in my whole life. … All the plates and glassware smashed on the floor. A lotto machine fell on a lady. Blood everywhere. … Hands down the most terrified I’ve ever been in my life.”
The Sun-Sentinel reports that the cruise originated in New York City and was struck by the gust of wind shortly after departing, while en route to Port Canaveral, Fla.
The cruise is expected to remain on schedule and will stop in the Bahamas before returning to New York.
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