A luxurious cruise ship capsized in a port after being hit by a severe storm. Chinese authorities reported that the massive vessel, named Mingzhu Qihao or Pearl No.7, measuring 158m in length and 30m in width, tilted and overturned due to the impact of Typhoon Bavi.
The incident occurred at the Yangfushan Puxi berth in Wenzhou, China, during adverse weather conditions on Tuesday evening. Fortunately, there were no passengers on board the £22 million ship, which lacks an engine, when it toppled over amid high tides and heavy rainfall.
Upon receiving the distress call, emergency services swiftly responded to stabilize the ship. An investigation is now underway to determine the cause of the vessel’s capsizing. Local media were informed by a staff member that response teams were managing the situation, and no injuries have been reported thus far.
A spokesperson for Wenzhou Mingzhu Cruise Company stated that the ship tilted during a spring tide flood and that contingency measures were promptly activated with the collaboration of relevant authorities. The exact reasons behind the incident are currently being scrutinized.
Authorities confirmed that the ship, constructed in 2012, was not operational and had no crew or passengers at the time of the accident. Despite plans to transform it into a high-end floating hotel with amenities like restaurants and deluxe suites, the vessel remained inactive for 14 years due to multiple setbacks, including public complaints, technical issues, and financial constraints.
The recent capsizing at the Ou River berth has reignited interest in the ship’s troubled past and raised uncertainties about its future at the dock. In a previous incident in 2012, the vessel gained notoriety for getting stuck under Wenzhou Bridge, underscoring the challenges faced by the grand ‘floating hotel’.