Captain of the Diamond Princess dies suddenly – cruise continues!

Captain of the Diamond Princess dies suddenly – cruise continues!

A tragic incident occurred on the Diamond Princess cruise, which is currently sailing through Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China. Captain Michele Bartolomei suffered a medical emergency on the night of May 18th to 19th and died on board the ship. The incident occurred around 2 a.m., just off Taipei, Taiwan, when an emergency call for paramedics was made over the deck. The crew informed passengers of the captain's death on Monday morning, causing great consternation among guests. Loud TheWest All passengers on board received a letter in which the crew expressed their “deep sadness” for the “respected leader”.

The tragedy was widely discussed on social media, where condolences were expressed to Bartolomei's relatives. Captain Michele Bartolomei had worked for the shipping company “Princess Cruises” for almost 30 years and lived in Canada. He was also a passionate fisherman. RTL also reported that the exact circumstances of death and the cause of death are currently unknown.

Continuation of the cruise

Despite the tragic incident, the cruise continued. Captain Salvatore Macera took command of the Diamond Princess and the crew assured guests that the bridge team was fully operational. This was also mentioned in the crew's communications to reassure passengers and allow the voyage to continue as planned. The crew reiterated their commitment to the safety of passengers and maintaining the travel program.

The death of Captain Michele Bartolomei leaves a huge void in the cruise community. His many years of experience and the appreciation he enjoyed from the passengers and crew make this loss particularly painful. The voyage around Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China, which was still planned, will continue to take place, even if the background to this shocking incident has dampened the mood on board.