01 March 2010

Costa crew killed in Red Sea crash

A ship due to join Thomson Cruises in April has been involved in a fatal accident in the Red Sea.

The Costa Europa, which is to be converted to the Thomson Dream, hit a pier in Sham el Sheik resulting in the death of three members of crew and injuries to three passengers.

Costa blamed "exceptional bad weather" for the incident early on Friday which led to unexpected winds causing the vessel to crash into the pier.

All passengers were taken off the 1,506-passenger ship and put up in local hotels.

Costa Europa had been on an 18-day cruise from Dubai to Savona in Italy and is due to be handed over to start operating for Thomson Cruises in April.

The right side of the ship was damaged in the early morning incident.

Cruise line chairman and CEO Pier Luigi Foschi said: "With reference to the accident which occurred to Costa Europa while berthing in Sharm el Sheikh and determined, according to the preliminary and ongoing investigations, by the exceptional bad weather conditions and an unexpected gust of wind which caused the impact of the ship on the pier, I would like to express our great sorrow to the families of the three crew member colleagues who tragically died in this accident.

"By expressing my deepest regret for the inconveniences caused to our guests on holiday, due to the unpredictable interruption of the cruise, I have to sincerely thank all the ship’s personnel for the quick reaction and professionalism in managing the accident itself.

"I would like also to clarify that guests of the ship have all been disembarked in full safety and are now hosted in local hotels, where the organisation for their return is in place."

by Phil Davies

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Your Comments (2)

Costa Europa accident

It was a real tragedy to hear of the loss of three crew aboard Costa Europa. Having sailed with Costa already - and about to embark on Allegra for 33 days - I know the crews across the fleet will be absolutely devastated at the news. As for the ship's transfer to Thomson, if it is delayed, then there is little anyone can do but sit tight and wait. It will cause some inconvenience but nothing that Thomson won't be able to handle. I am admin on a cruise discussion board and most have set aside the inconvenience and focused on the families of the crew who were killed, all galley workers asleep in their beds at the time of the accident. Three families have lost their main wage earner and cherished member of their families...so as much as there will be inconvenience to those on the halted cruise & future cruises, nothing can ever equal the sense of loss that those families are feeling right now. Absolute tragedy.

By Ally Jones, Monday, March 1, 2010
Costa Europa/Thomson Dream

Following the damage to the hull one wonders if it will be repaired in time for the scheduled handover of the ship to Thomson.

By Brian Jones, Monday, March 1, 2010