One crew member is dead after a gas cylinder exploded on a Princess Cruises ship.
The male worker died after being struck by the exploding canister on the Emerald Princess ship as it was docked at Port Chalmers, New Zealand.
The worker was operating the hydraulic launch for a tender boat when a ‘massive explosion’ was heard, according to Port Chalmers-Dunedin maritime union secretary Phil Adam.
No one else was injured.
The man died at the scene, local police said, who are conducting an investigation.
"First reports indicate that the incident happened during some technical work on the hydraulic launching system on a tender vessel. We are deeply saddened that a member of Emerald Princess’ crew was fatally injured in the incident,’ said David Jones, spokesman for parent Carnival Australia.
The 113,500 gross ton ship is currently sailing a 13-day cruise between Australia and New Zealand and is due back in Sydney after the weekend.
