BERLIN, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- A strong gust of wind pushed a cruise ship carrying more than 3,300 passengers and crew members into two container vessels as it departed the German North Sea port of Bremerhaven on Sunday evening, police said Monday.
The TUI Cruises vessel Mein Schiff 3 was bound for Spain's Canary Islands when the accident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. local time (1630 GMT). Despite assistance from tugboats, the cruise ship was pushed by the gust toward two container vessels moored at the quay, according to police.
The cruise ship first struck a smaller container vessel before drifting into a larger one. The larger ship sustained a tear several meters long along its port side, as well as damage to its container guides. Mein Schiff 3 suffered damage to its lifeboats, lifeboat cranes and outer hull.
No injuries or water ingress were reported.
Following the collision, Mein Schiff 3 returned to the terminal. Authorities initially prohibited all three vessels from sailing, but later lifted the restriction on the less severely damaged container ship.
Water police are investigating the incident, including whether the cruise ship's captain committed a regulatory offense.
TUI Cruises said 2,428 passengers and 922 crew members were aboard Mein Schiff 3 at the time of the collision. The company canceled the planned voyage to the Canary Islands after determining that the ship required immediate repairs at a shipyard. Passengers were informed on Monday morning that the voyage would not go ahead and were instructed to return home. ■
