Two cruise ship tourists thrown overboard after vessel breaks moorings

 CATANIA, Sicily – A dramatic incident occurred on Friday at the Port of Catania, where a Norwegian Cruise Line ship broke free from its moorings due to sudden, powerful gusts of wind, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano.Two tourists were preparing to board the ship when the mooring lines suddenly snapped, causing the vessel to drift away from the dock. The woman reportedly fell into the water first, followed by her husband, who jumped in after her in an attempt to help.

 

 The couple were swiftly rescued through the coordinated efforts of the ship’s crew, police officers on jet skis, and members of the Coast Guard. Emergency medical teams arrived shortly after to assess their condition. Fortunately, neither is in critical condition.

 

The force of the break also caused damage to the dock infrastructure. A bollard — the large metal post used to secure the ship — broke under the immense strain of the wind and tension in the mooring lines.

 

Authorities are now investigating the incident and reviewing port safety procedures in light of the extreme weather conditions.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line has not yet released an official statement. Port operations remain cautious due to ongoing wind advisories.