Greece Arrests Cruise Ship Captain After Lines Part and Passenger Falls
Greece has placed the captain of a large, international cruise ship under arrest after an incident in the Port of Corfu on Wednesday evening, July 1. The cruise ship was one of four docked in the port, which was experiencing strong winds.
The Hellenic Coast Guard reports the lines holding the cruise ship, which is registered in the Bahamas, parted in the wind. The vessel had its gangway down, and passengers were returning for a day on shore before the departure.
After the lines broke, the gangway shifted and a female passenger, age 56 from New Zealand, lost her footing and fell into the water. The crew and dockworkers rush in and they were able to retrieve the woman, who is reported to have suffered slight injuries on her face and body. She was sent to a local hospital by ambulance.
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The captain of the cruise ship, a 56-year-old Italian citizen, was taken into custody as an investigation began into the incident. The captain was arrested on charges of violating an article of the Hellenic Penal Code that pertains to exposing an individual to life-threatening danger or placing them in a helpless situation. The captain could face charges of neglecting a legal duty of care for the passenger.
The cruise ship was able to continue on its voyage after the incident, while the investigation is being carried out by the Central Port Authority of Corfu.