Travel company Viking said one person was killed and four injured after a “vicious wave” hit a cruise ship bound for Antarctica.
The “rogue wave incident” occurred during a storm on Tuesday – when Viking Polaris The company said that a cruise ship was heading towards Ushuaia, Argentina Thursday update. according to France Press agencyUshuaia is the starting point for many trips to Antarctica.
“It is with great sadness that we have confirmed the death of a guest following the accident. We have notified the guest’s family and shared our deepest sympathies,” Viking’s statement read, adding that four other passengers were treated for “non-life-threatening injuries.” By the doctor and medical staff on board.
Viking added that the ship “suffered limited damage during the incident” and arrived in Ushuaia on Wednesday afternoon. France Press agency mentioned Several windows were shattered.
Cruise lines dropped COVID protocols:How did this affect the issues on the ships? We have the numbers.
“We wondered if we’d hit an iceberg. And there are no icebergs here, but that’s how it felt,” Susie Gooding, passenger aboard Viking Polaris, said. WRAL News said. “Everything was fine until the rogue wave hit, and it was sudden. Shocking.”
Viking said the company’s “focus remains on the safety and well-being of our guests and crew” and that they were working to arrange a return flight for those affected by the trip. The Vikings also canceled the ship’s next scheduled departure on December 5 for the Antarctic Exploration Expedition program.
Passengers at sea:The Coast Guard rescues a carnival passenger who has fallen into the sea
according to Viking siteViking Polaris is a 665-foot cruise ship built in 2022. Its capacity allows for 378 guests and 256 crew members.
What is a “rogue wave”?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationA rogue wave is a large, unexpected wave that can be very dangerous.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says the rogue waves, which scientists call “extreme storm waves,” are more than twice the size of the surrounding waves, and often come from different directions than those actually present in the waves and winds.
What is everyone talking about? Subscribe to our popular newsletter to get the latest news of the day
These waves are highly unpredictable and have a frightening appearance — most reports describe rogue waves to look like steep “walls of water,” says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The agency adds that rogue waves are “extremely rare.” Experts are still researching how these waves form, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) notes that there are several known causes – Including A “constructive intervention” related to swells in the ocean and focuses on shifts in “wave energy”.
. “Proud zombie lover. Evil pop culture buff. Amateur thinker. Total food practitioner. Tv evangelist.”