German Police: Strong Wind Pushed Cruise Liner Into Container Ships

 BREMEN (Germany), Oct 26 (Bernama-dpa) -- A strong gust of wind caused a cruise ship carrying more than 3,300 passengers and crew to collide with two container vessels while leaving the German North Sea port of Bremerhaven, police said on Monday, sharing new details about Sunday's accident, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

TUI-operated Mein Schiff 3 was departing for the Canary Islands on Sunday evening when a gust of wind pushed it towards two container ships moored alongside the harbour wall, police said.

One container ship was severely damaged in the collision, while the other sustained slight damage, according to police. The cruise ship was also severely damaged, with images showing that the ship's on-board lifeboats were crushed.

"The collision tore open the port side of the large container ship over a length of several metres and deformed the container guides," police said.

No one was injured on any of the three ships and no water entered the vessels, as the damage occurred a few metres above water level, according to police.

Mein Schiff 3 returned to the cruise ship terminal following the collision and all three vessels have been barred from leaving the port.

TUI Cruises confirmed on Monday that it was cancelling the cruise in light of the crash. According to the operator, the cruise ship requires repair work at a shipyard.

According to TUI, 2,428 passengers and 922 crew members were on board the cruise ship at the time.

An eyewitness video verified by dpa shows the cruise ship leaving the port accompanied by tugboats in choppy waters.

The vessel can be seen moving increasingly close to a container ship moored alongside the harbour wall before striking it.

"I think that’s it for the trip," a woman can be heard saying in the clip.

-- BERNAMA-dpa