In a devastating turn of events, a cruise ship en route to Alaska suffered a catastrophic accident early Sunday morning, leaving multiple passengers dead and dozens injured. The luxury liner, Northern Star, carrying over 3,000 passengers and crew, was approximately 120 nautical miles off the coast of British Columbia when it encountered extreme weather conditions and reportedly struck a submerged object, believed to be a large iceberg or uncharted rock formation.
Authorities confirmed that at least 12 people have died in the incident, with over 60 others injured, some critically. Rescue operations are ongoing as the ship remains stranded in rough seas. Helicopters and coast guard vessels from both Canadian and U.S. agencies have been deployed to the site. Several passengers have already been airlifted to hospitals in Vancouver and Juneau.
Eyewitnesses aboard the vessel described scenes of chaos and terror. “There was a massive jolt, like the ship hit a wall. People were screaming, dishes flying, the whole place was shaking,” said Maria Jenkins, a passenger celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary. “It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime. Now it’s a nightmare.”
Crew members reportedly acted swiftly to contain the situation, deploying lifeboats and initiating emergency procedures. However, the extreme cold, combined with high winds and crashing waves, made evacuation and rescue efforts incredibly difficult.
The Northern Star, operated by Glacier Line Cruises, had departed from Seattle just three days earlier and was scheduled to visit Juneau, Skagway, and Glacier Bay over a 10-day voyage. The company issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy: “Our hearts go out to the families affected by this terrible incident. We are working closely with rescue teams and doing everything possible to ensure the safety of those still on board.”
Investigators are now working to determine the exact cause of the crash. Initial reports suggest a combination of mechanical failure and extreme weather may have contributed to the accident.
Families of passengers have gathered at ports in Seattle and Vancouver, anxiously awaiting updates. The tragedy has cast a dark shadow over the cruise industry, which had seen a strong resurgence in recent months.
As rescue efforts continue, the world watches and prays for those still aboard the ill-fated voyage to Alaska.
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