Strong Winds Cause Passenger to Fall from Norwegian Epic in Sicily

Catania, Sicily – A passenger fell into the water after the Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Norwegian Epic detached from the pier during strong winds on May 30. The incident occurred while the ship was docked, making disembarkation a tense experience for those on board.

According to a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line, a guest fell from the gangway while attempting to leave the ship. On-duty crew members swiftly entered the water to assist the passenger, who was later evaluated by medical staff. Fortunately, the individual only sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for further checks.

The ship, which began its 10-day cruise from Civitavecchia on May 24, was making stops in Italy, Greece, Malta, and France. Tyler Roys, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, noted that strong wind gusts reaching up to 45 miles per hour were reported in the area, which is unusual for this time of year when summer approaches.

To ensure passenger safety, Norwegian Cruise Line halted both disembarkation and embarkation processes until weather conditions improved, allowing the ship to safely dock. The spokesperson reassured that the safety of guests and crew is always a priority during incidents like these.

Following this event, Norwegian Cruise Line reflected on similar incidents in the past, recalling that Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Magic experienced issues in Jamaica due to windy conditions earlier this year. Wind had also impacted other vessels, including MSC Sinfonia and Norwegian Prima just weeks before.

Passengers on board reported feeling alarmed during the separation from the pier. One traveler described hearing a loud bang as the ship broke free, noting that the concrete moorings were being dislodged one by one.

After the situation was resolved, the cruise line worked to ensure all remaining passengers could safely reboard the ship once weather conditions stabilized.

Despite the interruptions, the Norwegian Epic continues its planned itinerary in the Mediterranean, with future stops scheduled for popular destinations like Naples, Florence, and Cannes.