Passenger killed after “rogue wave” strikes cruise ship
An elderly woman has died and four others have been injured after a massive wave struck a cruise ship sailing towards southern Argentina at the end of its Antarctic cruise.
The Viking Polaris was struck by a wave that broke cabin windows during a storm on its return to the port of Ushuaia last week, according to Argentinian authorities.
While the ship suffered minimal damage, the 62-year-old US woman who was hit by broken glass died.
“It is with great sadness that we confirm a guest passed away following the incident,” Viking said in a statement.
“We have notified the guest’s family and shared our deepest sympathies.”
The cruise operator described it as a “rogue wave incident” and confirmed that four other cruise goers suffered non-life threatening injuries and received treatment from the doctor and medical staff on board the ship.
With a federal court opening a case into the incident, the cruise ship has been anchored at Ushuaia.
Viking has also said it would investigate the incident and “offer our support to the relevant authorities”.
“Our focus remains on the safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew, and we are working directly with them to arrange return travel,” the statement from Thursday, December 1, read.
The company has also cancelled its scheduled voyage to Antarctica, which was due to depart from December 5-17.
The Polaris, built this year, features luxury facilities and has capacity for 378 passengers and 256 crew members.
It is one of two ships Viking has for its cruises, which explore remote regions of the world.
Image: Getty Images