Norwegian Cruise Line Passengers Injured in Gangway Collapse
An incident occurred, injuring multiple guests on one of the Norwegian cruise line’s ships. Let’s explore the details of the incident with Ehline Law and our cruise ship injury attorneys.
Devastating Injuries to Passengers on a Norwegian Cruise Line Ship after Gangway Collapses
On November 9, 2022, a gangway collapsed on a Norwegian cruise line ship, the Norwegian Encore, injuring multiple guests.
Norwegian Cruise Line Passengers Injured in Gangway Collapse on Line’s Norwegian Encore Ship
According to Cruise Hive, a spokesperson of the cruise line reported that first responders immediately took the injured passengers to a nearby hospital in Panama City for medical treatment.
The Norwegian cruise line sent their CARE team to Panama City for additional support to look after the injured passengers.
Cruise Line Remains Silent on the Details of the Accident During Their Norwegian Cruise Line Visit
The cruise line did not mention any details of the accident, such as how many guests suffered injuries, the severity of the injuries, and how the accident occurred.
Is Gangway Collapse a Frequent Occurrence in the Cruise Industry?
A gangway is a bridge connecting the cruise ship to the land, allowing passengers to board the vessel. Although gangway collapses are rare, they can happen and have also occurred in the past, injuring passengers and even leading to fatalities.
In 2009, a gangway collapsed at Palma de Majorca on an MSC Cruises ship, causing one passenger to fall into the water. Four crew members immediately rescued the passenger and moved him to a medical facility nearby for medical treatment. The event led MSC Cruises to lodge a complaint against the port authority.
In 2003, a gangway leading to the world’s largest luxury liner, Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2, collapsed, resulting in the death of 13 people and 32 people injured. The gangway stretched 25 meters above ground, and more than 40 people were on it when it broke down, causing them to fall and the scaffolding to fall on top of them.
Investigations revealed that the gangway connecting to the ship lacked diagonal support beams, resulting in the collapse.
Can Injured Passengers Sue the Cruise Line for Gangway Collapses?
Cruise lines and crew are responsible for ensuring their ships are safe, including safe boarding and disembarking procedures. Crew members must inspect and ensure that the gangway used for entering and exiting the vessel is stable enough to carry the load of the passengers.
Injured cruise ship passengers can file a claim or a lawsuit if their injuries occurred due to another’s negligence. However, gangway collapse is a complex area of the law as the case could be governed by general maritime law or foreign country law.
It is crucial to reach out to an experienced cruise ship accident attorney to investigate the cause of the cruise ship gangway accident and gather evidence to support your claim.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law
If you suffered an injury during your cruise trip, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation, as you may be eligible for compensation.
