A massive luxury cruise ship capsized in a port in China after being hit by a powerful Typhoon Bavi. The ship, named Mingzhu Qihao or Pearl No.7, measuring 158m in length and 30m in width, costing £22m to construct, lost balance and tilted over at the Yangfushan Puxi berth in Wenzhou during a storm on Tuesday evening.
Fortunately, the vessel was unoccupied at the time of the incident, as it lacked an engine, amid extreme weather conditions of high tides and heavy rainfall. Prompt emergency services responded to the scene to stabilize the ship, with an investigation now launched to determine the cause of the capsizing.
According to a spokesperson from Wenzhou Mingzhu Cruise Company, the ship tilted due to a spring tide flood, activating immediate contingency measures, and receiving swift assistance from relevant authorities. The exact reason behind the mishap remains under scrutiny.
Officials from Deer District Emergency Management confirmed that the ship, built in 2012, was not operational and had no crew or passengers onboard during the incident. The vessel remained unused for over a decade due to various setbacks, including failed plans to convert it into a high-end floating hotel with amenities like restaurants and luxury suites, which faced challenges of technical and financial nature.
The recent tipping incident has brought renewed focus on the ship’s troubled past and the uncertainties surrounding its future at the port. In a previous incident in 2012, the ship made headlines when it became stuck under Wenzhou Bridge due to its excessive height, shedding light on its history of operational issues.
