Two killed in engine room mishap on cruise ship in Bahamas

Two people were killed as a result of an accident in the engine room of a Dutch-flagged cruise ship while it was in the Bahamas on Friday, March 22.

Holland America Line’s (HAL) Nieuw Amsterdam was anchored near the company’s private Half Moon Cay resort when an accidental release of steam occurred in the ship’s engine room at around 09:20 local time on Friday, a HAL spokesperson said in a statement.

Tragically, two crewmembers became trapped in the engine room as steam filled the space. These two individuals, identified as the ship’s Filipino third engineer and an Indonesian wiper, were later found deceased.

The HAL spokesperson assured that the cruise operator has been in contact with the families of the two victims and is offering support.

Two representatives from the Dutch Safety Board have meanwhile been sent over to investigate the mishap.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority said it will also conduct an investigation.