Cruise ship breaks loose: couple falls into the sea in Catania!

Cruise ship breaks loose: couple falls into the sea in Catania!

A dramatic incident occurred in the port of Catania, Italy, on May 30, 2025, when a cruise ship broke away from its moorings due to strong winds. How fr.de Reportedly, the entire rope securing the ship to the pier broke and two vacationers, a married couple, fell into the sea while trying to get ashore.

An immediate rescue operation was launched, in which both the ship's personnel as well as police officers on jet skis and coast guard personnel played a key role. A total of 118 emergency services were on site to rescue the two holidaymakers from the harbor water. Fortunately, they only suffered minor injuries. The woman reportedly fell into the water first and her husband jumped in to save her.

Damage and consequences in the port

The incident also left its mark on the harbor. Catania's pier was damaged in the accident, posing additional challenges for port authorities. Such incidents triggered by extreme weather conditions are not uncommon in the region, as demonstrated by a previous incident involving the cruise ship MSC Sinfonia.

On January 6th, the ship MSC Sinfonia was the victim of a similar accident in the port of Syracuse, Sicily. Here a strong storm caused the lines holding the ship to break, causing it to drift and damage boats and berths. Fortunately, there were no guests on board at the time, which meant no injuries were caused. A legal investigation was launched to establish the exact causes and responsibilities, while the MSC Sinfonia was reattached to the pier with the help of harbor tugboats.

Investigations and measures

The Italian public prosecutor's office began investigating the incidents. They not only want to assess the serious property damage, but also clarify why the accidents occurred. There are usually sufficient ship lines to secure a ship in strong winds, and the ship's bridge is manned 24 hours a day with nautical officers who can intervene if necessary. However, unexplained causes of the collision with the marina also need to be investigated.

Considering these two incidents, it is obvious that security in Italian ports must be strictly monitored to avoid future accidents and ensure the safety of passengers, as it is derwesten.de explained. Collaboration between cruise lines, port authorities and investigative bodies will be crucial to further clarify and improve safety standards.