Accident at critical moment: Vacationers fall from cruise ship into the sea

The Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Epic cruise ship has become detached from its moorings in the port of Catania, Sicily. The " Mercury " newspaper, citing the Italian news agency Ansa, reports that strong winds tore the ship from its moorings while passengers were disembarking.

Two tourists fell into the harbor basin during the incident on Friday morning. A man reportedly jumped after his wife, who had fallen into the water. 118 rescue personnel, including police officers on jet skis and the coast guard, rushed to the aid of the vacationers and were able to rescue both with minor injuries.

According to the cruise blog " Cruisetricks ," a bollard to which the 329-meter-long and 40-meter-wide colossus was moored came loose around lunchtime. Eyewitnesses reported the impact on the stern of the ship. The Norwegian Epic left port after the incident and remained berthed off Catania for the entire day. Passengers were only able to reboard in the evening, which led to chaotic scenes .

According to Cruisetricks, the wind was blowing at approximately 50 kilometers per hour at the time of the accident. Why the ship's anchorage failed in such strong winds is unknown. However, the Italian newspaper Il Giornale published a photo that appears to show the bollard torn from its concrete anchorage. The pier was also damaged.

1. Passenger numbers : In 2023, approximately 31.7 million people worldwide took a cruise, with North America accounting for the largest group with 18.1 million passengers.
2. Market development : Revenue in the cruise market is expected to reach 40.447 billion euros in 2025 and rise to 48.712 billion euros by 2029.
3. Largest cruise ship : The "Icon of the Seas" is the largest cruise ship in the world, with a length of over 360 meters and 2,805 cabins.
4. First cruise : The first cruise took place in 1891 on the "Auguste Victoria" and lasted 56 days, with the route leading via England, the Mediterranean and Syria to Egypt.
5. Outbreaks : In 2024, there were 16 gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships, most of which were caused by norovirus .

The cruise passengers had plenty to do with the extra time in Catania. Katharina Seehuber, founder of the spontaneous travel app Let's Yalla, recommends the Sicilian port city for a short city break . It offers a relaxing atmosphere away from mass tourism, authentic Italian food, and a blend of city and nature experiences. Highlights include a breakfast with cannoli in Piazza Duomo, a visit to the Roman amphitheater, and a trip to Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano.

Catania offers a variety of local experiences, such as the Pesceria fish market, the Via Etnea shopping street, and the Villa Bellini park. Culinary specialties such as Pasta alla Norma are also highly recommended. Seehuber calls the city a "real insider tip for short trips."