PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – Several passengers were injured when a Norwegian cruise ship listed during a freak weather event, officials said.
The Miami-based cruise line said the Norwegian Escape heeled to its port side just before midnight Sunday.
"Several injuries were reported and those guests and crew received immediate attention or are being treated by the ship’s medical staff," Norwegian tweeted.
Photos from a passenger on the Norwegian Escape show items scattered across the floor after a strong gust of wind caused the ship to list. (Image: Aaron Black)
Details about the extent of the injuries have not been released.
Officials said the ship encountered unexpected weather in the form of a sudden, extreme gust of wind, estimated at 100 knots, which resulted in the ship listing quickly.
"The scariest s*** just happened on this cruise. Chairs, tables, glass, people went flying to one side of the ship," a passenger tweeted.
Honestly, @CruiseNorwegian, the gust of wind that threw all of the shattered glass all over my bed and floor is all on mother nature, but where my pro-rated premium plus discount for all the bottled water I was going to drink tonight? #norwegianescape #nclescape
— AJ Black (@aaronjosef) March 4, 2019
The passenger shared photos with News 6 showing tables and chairs, glass bottles and other items in one area of the ship scattered across the floor.
A video also showed a table rolling across the floor, as some passengers could be heard panicking in the background. Others seen in the video did not seem overwhelmed by the ship's sudden tilting.
The ship set sail Sunday on a seven-night cruise to the Bahamas out of New York City and was en route to its first stop, Port Canaveral, when the incident occurred.
"There was no damage to the ship," officials said. "She remains fully operational and continues her scheduled itinerary."
The Escape will dock in Port Canaveral as planned and its itinerary is not expected to be affected, officials said.
Just before midnight on Sunday, March 3, Norwegian Escape encountered unexpected weather in the form of a sudden, extreme gust of wind, estimated at 100 knots, which resulted in the ship heeling to the port side. (cont.)
— Cruise Norwegian (@CruiseNorwegian) March 4, 2019
The Escape can carry up to 4,266 passengers and 1,733 crew members.
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