FOUR CYPRIOTS on board the ill fated Cypriot-owned Louis Majesty cruise liner were returning home yesterday after massive 10 metre waves pounded the ship and killed two people.
The ship was docked in Barcelona last night for repairs after tragic incident, which also left 14 people injured.
According to reports, three massive waves smashed into the Louis Majesty at 4.30pm on Wednesday, 24 miles north east of Capo San Stefano. The ship was en route from Barcelona to Genoa.
Michael Maratheftis, Spokesman for Cypriot operator Louis Cruises, described the waves were “abnormally high”, measuring over 10 metres in height.
“These were rogue waves, which occur rarely and cannot be predicted.” he said.
“They hit the vessel in sequence, smashing the windows on deck five and fatally wounding two passengers inside.”
One of the victims has been named as Giuseppe Neri, 52, from Genoa. He was on the cruise with his wife and son.
Maratheftis said that the ship turned around and returned to Barcelona as soon as the tragic accident occurred. The 14 passengers who sustained injuries were taken by ambulance to Barcelona hospital as a precautionary measure.
The company has now made arrangements to repatriate all of the 1350 passengers who were on board.
Asked about media reports that a 62-year-old passenger had broken both legs, Maratheftis said “I cannot comment on specific injuries, but none of the injuries are a serious concern to us, by which we mean that none are life threatening.”
The Louis Majesty will remain moored in Barcelona for repairs for over the next week, before returning.
The BBC quoted a French Naval Commander, Bernard Celier, saying there were no signs of any problems with the Louis Majesty, although there were reported winds of more than 100km/h (60mph) in the area.
Asked if this was a regular occurrence, Maratheftis said “These waves happen all over the place and are unpredictable. Had the Louis Majesty not been able to withstand this sort of wave, this would have been a much greater tragedy.”
The Louis Majesty joined the Louis fleet in October 2009. Formerly it was the Royal Majesty of Norwegian Cruise Line.
