In a devastating maritime disaster, a Seabourn luxury cruise liner capsized in the North Atlantic just after midnight, leaving more than 900 people feared dead. The ship, carrying approximately 1,200 passengers and crew, was en route from Lisbon to New York when it encountered extreme weather conditions and reportedly suffered a critical systems failure.
Distress signals were transmitted around 12:45 AM GMT, prompting an immediate international search and rescue operation. Despite challenging weather and limited visibility, several rescue vessels and aircraft were deployed to the scene. Survivors reported a sudden jolt, followed by a rapid tilt and complete capsizing within minutes, giving little time for evacuation.
Authorities have confirmed 273 survivors rescued from lifeboats and debris, but hopes are fading for the hundreds still unaccounted for. The cause of the disaster remains under investigation, with early speculation pointing to a rogue wave or structural failure.
Seabourn, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, issued a statement expressing profound sorrow and vowing full cooperation with maritime safety investigators. Families are gathering at emergency centers set up in New York and Lisbon, desperate for news. This tragedy marks one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in recent history.
Leave a Reply