Moment terrified passengers panic as 'tables started flying' on Saga cruise ship

08 November 2023 , 12:18

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Moment terrified passengers panic as 'tables started flying' on Saga cruise ship

More than 100 cruise ship passengers were injured as a cruise ship got caught in a storm, with shocking video footage showing tables flying across balconies.

The Saga Cruises ship - Spirit of Discovery - was supposed to be taking guests on a luxury 14-night tour of the Canary Islands when it was hit by bad weather. It is understood the ship had to cancel a visit to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria as the weather worsened and was instead heading towards La Corona when that port was closed because of the conditions.

The crew opted to return to the UK when the ship’s propulsion safety system was activated in the poor weather causing it to veer suddenly to the left, bringing the vessel to a sudden halt. More than 100 of the 1,000 guests on board were said to have been hurt due to the sudden jolt, although according to Saga Cruises the “vast majority” were minor injuries. Five people needed treatment for more serious injuries in the ship's onboard medical facility.

The Saga cruise ship Spirit of Discovery (Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)

Passenger Jan Bendall, 75, told the BBC that she and her husband were “holding on for dear life” during the storm and added: “It was quite frightening, I’m not somebody who frightens easily, it was quite dramatic.” She said staff were “absolutely fantastic” and set up “a makeshift medical area” in the dining room to treat the injured while passengers were told to stay in their cabins for the rest of Saturday and Sunday.

Tables flew across balconies in the storm

100 people were injured

The Spirit of Discovery arrived back at Portsmouth on Monday evening but Saga Cruises has not confirmed if any of those injured require further treatment ashore. A spokeswoman said: “Spirit of Discovery was sadly caught in the challenging weather conditions this weekend, as she started her return to the UK.

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"The ship remained safe at all times, but due to the impact of the storm some guests sustained injuries. All were treated immediately by onboard medical staff. While the weather is clearly beyond our control, we want to offer our sincere apologies to all those affected who are now safely back, having sailed home in calmer seas.”

Kelly-Ann Mills