Story highlights One person killed, four injured in accident on Harmony of the Seas

Accident happened during lifeboat drill while ship docked in the south of France

(CNN) Investigators are trying to determine how a lifeboat fell during a training exercise on the world's largest cruise ship Tuesday, leaving one crew member dead and four others injured.

A 42-year-old Philippines national died after the lifeboat fell about 33 feet (10 meters) during the exercise on board Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, which was docked in Marseille, France, Deputy Mayor Julien Ruas told CNN.

The four other crew members are being treated at a hospital.

Harmony of the Sea as it docked after the tragic deaths

Photos: Harmony of the Seas – Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Harmony of the Seas, makes its debut this weekend in Southampton, England. It's the world's largest cruise ship. Hide Caption 1 of 8 Photos: Can fit 6,780 guests – Harmony can fit up to 6,780 guests and 2,100 crew members. It's 1,188 feet long. In comparison, the Eiffel Tower is 984 feet tall. Hide Caption 2 of 8 Photos: The Ultimate Abyss – See those purple, squiggly things in the back of the ship? That's one of Harmony's biggest attractions: The Ultimate Abyss, which the cruise line calls "the tallest slide on the high seas." It takes guests on a 100-foot drop from Deck 16 to Deck 6. Hide Caption 3 of 8 Photos: Perfect Storm – Speaking of slides, there's a trio of multi-story water slides called Perfect Storm. One slide features a champagne bowl that swirls you around as you plunge down. Hide Caption 4 of 8 Photos: Suites at sea – Included among Harmony's 2,747 staterooms are top-end suites. "We have more suites at sea than any cruise line in the world," says Mark Tamis of Royal Caribbean International. Hide Caption 5 of 8 Photos: Bionic Bar – The Bionic Bar is staffed by two robot bartenders. They can make two drinks per minute and 1,000 drinks per day. Hide Caption 6 of 8 Photos: Wonderland – Specialty restaurant Wonderland, already a hit on a few other Royal Caribbean vessels, has gotten an upgrade. "It's been expanded on Harmony of the Seas," says Tamis. "It's actually a two-story venue that is going to be dramatically beautiful. " Hide Caption 7 of 8 Photos: Price tag – The cost? Prices start at $1,125 per person for a seven-night tour of the western Mediterranean. Hide Caption 8 of 8

The mammoth vessel first set sail in May, weighing 226,963 tons and accommodating 6,780 guests and 2,100 crew members.

Measuring 1,188 feet (362 meters), the ship is longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall. The Paris icon stands at 984 feet (300 meters).

Read More</s>A Harmony of the Seas crew member has died and four others have been injured after a lifeboat fell off the world’s biggest cruise ship.

The record-breaking ship, which is operated by Royal Caribbean, is docked in the French port of Marseille.

One person is dead and four are injured, including two whose lives are in danger," a spokesman for the fire service told the AFP news agency.

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Five crew were onboard the lifeboat taking part in a safety drill when it "became detached" from the ship.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said in a statement: "We are sorry to share the sad news that a crew member aboard Harmony of the Seas has died of injuries suffered during a lifeboat drill conducted while docked at the port of Marseille, France.

"Four other crew members received medical treatment in the same incident. We are keeping our colleagues and their families in our thoughts and prayers."

The liner only had its maiden voyage on 29 May.

Built by shipbuilders STX France, it is the widest ever cruise ship at a maximum of 66m across and is 50m longer than the Eiffel Tower at 362m.

Using its 16 decks, it can carry more than 6,700 passengers and 2,300 crew.

The Independent has contacted STX France for comment.</s>Investigators are trying to determine how a lifeboat fell during a training exercise on the world's largest cruise ship Tuesday, leaving one crew member dead and four others injured.

A 42-year-old Filipino national died after the lifeboat fell about 10 meters during the exercise on board Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, which was docked in Marseille, France, Deputy Mayor Julien Ruas told CNN.

The four other crew members are being treated at a hospital.

Measuring 1,188 feet (362 meters), the ship is longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall. The Paris icon stands at 984 feet (300 meters).</s>One crew member was killed and four others injured Tuesday in an accident on the world's biggest cruise ship.

The crew member died from injuries suffered during a lifeboat drill while the Harmony of the Seas ship was docked in Marseille, France, a representative for parent company Royal Caribbean said in a statement. The four other crew members were injured.

Measuring 1,188 feet (362 meters), the ship is longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall. The Paris icon stands at 984 feet (300 meters).

The ship is so large it boasts seven "neighborhoods" -- including a tree-lined Central Park filled with restaurants.</s>PARIS (AP) — A crewmember on the world's largest cruise ship has died and four others were injured when a lifeboat fell from the deck into the water during a rescue drill, the operator and officials in the French port of Marseille said Tuesday.

Cynthia Martinez, a spokeswoman for the Miami-based Royal Caribbean cruise line, told The Associated Press via email that the incident happened while the Harmony of the Seas was docked in the city.

Julien Ruas, a deputy mayor of Marseille, told the AP Tuesday that the lifeboat fell 10 meters (33 feet) or so from the fifth deck of the ship into the sea with the five crew members aboard. He identified the dead crewmember as a 42-year-old Filipino. Circumstances of the accident are still unclear.

Local naval firefighters told the AP one person died, two were seriously injured and two were more lightly injured.

The Harmony of the Seas holds the record for the largest cruise ship ever built, with a 6,360-passenger capacity. According to Royal Caribbean's website, the ship arrived in Europe in May and makes stops in France, Italy and Spain.</s>Marseille, France (AP) – A crewmember on the world’s largest cruise ship died and four others were injured Tuesday when a lifeboat fell from the deck into the water during a rescue drill in Marseille, the operator and officials in the southern French port city said.

Julien Ruas, a deputy mayor of Marseille, told The Associated Press that the lifeboat fell about 10 meters (33 feet) from the fifth deck of the Harmony of the Seas into the sea with the five crewmembers aboard. He identified the dead crewmember as a 42-year-old Filipino. Circumstances of the accident are still unclear.

Local naval firefighters told the AP one person died, two were seriously injured and two were more slightly injured in the “violent” fall. All were members of the crew.

“It seems the people didn’t get the time to secure themselves so the fall was quite a violent one, like if you or me fell around 10 meters from a building,” Ruas, who is in charge of firemen, told The Associated Press. He said the reason the lifeboat broke away was not immediately clear.

The Miami-based Royal Caribbean cruise line “deplored” the death and said in a statement that the incident happened during a safety exercise while the ship was docked in the port of the Mediterranean city.

The Harmony of the Seas holds the record for the largest cruise ship ever built, with a capacity of 8,690 people, including 6,300 passengers and 2,390 crew members. The $1 billion ship was built in France and set sail for its inaugural cruise in May.

At 362 meters (1,187 feet) long, the 16-deck ship is longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower. It’s been compared to a floating city with more than 2,500 staterooms, 20 dining venues, 23 swimming pools, water slides, a park with more than 10,000 plants and 50 trees, two climbing walls, discos and bar clubs, a theater, a skating rink, a basketball court and a casino.</s>A Filipino crewman was killed Tuesday during a safety drill on the world's biggest cruise liner, the Harmony of the Seas, while it was docked in Marseille, a city official said.

The 42-year-old and four other crew members were in a lifeboat that plunged 10 metres (35 feet) into the water during a safety drill in the southern French port.

Three other Filipinos and an Indian man were hurt in the incident, and two were fighting for their lives.

A fire service spokesman said: "One person is dead and four are injured, including two whose lives are in danger."

Marseille's deputy mayor Julien Ruas told AFP the five were the only people in the lifeboat at the time when it became detached from its fastenings and "fell 10 metres" into the harbour.

The city's prosecutor Xavier Tarabeux said a similar drill is carried out every week on the ship.

"It involves putting a lifeboat to sea," he said.

An investigation has been opened to find out why "the cable or the fastenings" holding the lifeboat in place gave way, the prosecutor said.

The boat "fell suddenly into the water," he added.

Royal Caribbean said in a statement: "We are keeping our colleagues and their families in our thoughts and prayers."

The Harmony of the Seas sailed into Marseille early Tuesday from the Spanish Mediterranean island of Majorca.

The ship had been scheduled to set sail for Italy later on Tuesday but the investigation into the lifeboat incident is expected to delay its departure until Wednesday at the earliest, the prosecutor said.

The 120,000-tonne liner operated by Florida-based Royal Caribbean only entered service in May.

At 66 metres (217 feet), it is the widest cruise ship ever built, while its 362-metre length makes it 50 metres longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower.

On its maiden voyage, it sailed from Southampton on England's south coast to Barcelona.

Built in the STX shipyard in the northwestern French port of Saint-Nazaire, the Oasis-class liner has 16 decks and can carry more than 6,000 passengers and 2,400 crew.

Among the onboard attractions are "The Ultimate Abyss", a 10-storey slide from the top deck to the main deck which Royal Caribbean bills as the world's biggest ship-mounted waterslide.

A giant climbing wall, a rope slide, mini-golf, surf simulator, floating jacuzzis, casino and 1,400-seat theatre playing Broadway musicals are among the other attractions.

Royal Caribbean has ordered a sister ship of the Harmony to join its fleet in 2018.</s>One person has died and another four have been injured, two critically, after a lifeboat detached from the world's biggest cruise liner and reportedly plummeted 32 feet.

The Harmony of the Seas was docked in the French port of Marseille when the lifeboat, with five people on board, broke free from the vessel and fell.

A spokesman for the local fire service said: ' One person is dead and four are injured, including two whose lives are in danger.

According to local news website 20Minutes.fr, the five people on the lifeboat were members of the ship's navigation crew.

However, there was no immediate confirmation of reports that they had been taking part in a safety drill at the time.

Julien Ruas from Marseille marine rescue service told the website, the lifeboat fell around '10 metres' with the five people inside.

He added that the dead member of crew was a man from the Philippines.

It is believed the vessel is currently on an eight day cruise around the Mediterranean having left Rome on September 8.

It has already stopped in Naples, Barcelona and Majorca before arriving in Marseille earlier today.

The 227,000-tonne liner operated by Florida-based Royal Caribbean only just entered service in May.

At 66 metres (217 feet), it is the widest cruise ship ever built, while its 362-metre length makes it 50 metres longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower.

It has 16 decks and can carry more than 6,000 passengers and 2,400 crew.

The cruise liner has been dubbed a floating city as it boasts 20 restaurants, 23 swimming pools and almost 2,500 rooms.

It also has a cinema, promenade, an entertainment palace, spa and fitness facilities.

However, on the ship's inaugural voyage, it was branded a 'floating construction site' that put passengers at risk.

People on board for a trip from Southampton to Rotterdam and a subsequent sailing to Cherbourg complained contractors were still carrying out vital work on board.

Gaping holes were left in floors and walls, the hot water cut out, 90 per cent of children's rides were out of service and sleep was impossible in some rooms as drilling carried on through the night.

They also said the top deck of the 1,188ft-long vessel was littered with hazards including loose cables, blow torches, open paint tins and power tools.

A spokesperson for the company replied at the time: 'As always, Royal Caribbean's highest priority is to ensure the safety of all its guests and crew members and any final maintenance is being carried out in accordance with strict safety guidelines.'</s>One woman has died and several people are believed to be unwell after a suspected outbreak of gastroenteritis on a cruise ship off the coast of Queensland.

The P&O Pacific Jewel cruise ship left from Sydney on September 6 for a 10-night "Barrier Reef Discovery" cruise.

Margaret Carlson boarded with her daughter and teenage grandson. It was the 79-year-old's seventh cruise in 10 years after her husband passed away, and she was looking forward to the journey after being upgraded to a luxury cabin.

She soon began showing signs of gastro and was told by medical staff that she had probably brought the bug onto the ship with her, her family says. Her daughter and grandson also fell ill after boarding the ship. P&O denied there had been a gastro outbreak on the ship.

On Saturday afternoon, when the ship was docked at Yorkeys Knob in Cairns, Carlson's family discovered she had died in her room.

Police were called to inspect the scene and determined she had died of natural causes several hours earlier. An autopsy will be performed.

Carlson's daughter Vanessa D'Souza, 41, said her mother's death was sudden and extremely upsetting.

"I keep getting these bunches of flowers at home and I just want to scream because I'm like, 'Oh, these flowers are beautiful and mum would love them', but she's not here," D'Souza said.

"My first priority was to let people know, because I thought you would not want to send your mother or grandmother on that [ship]."

D'Souza has been in contact with her sister, who will remain on the ship until it arrives back in Sydney on Friday, where it will dock briefly before leaving again with fresh passengers.

She said large numbers of cruise passengers were locked out of their roo on Monday morning and not told why. The family believes dozens of roo on two decks of the ship were being cleaned and disinfected.

A P&O spokesperson acknowledged the death but denied there was a gastro outbreak.

"An elderly passenger sadly passed away on Saturday on Pacific Jewel and our thoughts are with her family," the spokesperson said. "There is no reported gastro outbreak onboard the ship."

Queensland Health said it had not been informed of gastro on a cruise ship. Gastroenteritis is not a "notifiable" condition, meaning there is no obligation to report such an outbreak.

One passenger was medically evacuated from the ship by helicopter on Monday for reasons which could not be divulged.

D'Souza said most of the passengers on board "can't wait to get off".

"We'd like some answers," she said. "Is there really some issue with hygiene, or is there something going wrong?"

Carlson lived on her own in a house in Terrigal on the NSW central coast, where she had lived for 18 years. She had osteoporosis, but remained mobile by using a walking frame, and on her last check-up appeared to be in good health.

Queensland Police confirmed a 79-year-old woman died on a cruise ship that was docked at Cairns on Saturday. Officers will prepare a report for the Coroner.</s>This article is the subject of a legal complaint made on behalf of Royal Caribbean International

When the gargantuan Harmony of the Seas slips out of Southampton docks on Sunday afternoon on its first commercial voyage, the 16-deck-high floating city will switch off its auxiliary engines, fire up its three giant diesels and head to the open sea.

But while the 6,780 passengers and 2,100 crew on the largest cruise ship in the world wave goodbye to England, many people left behind in Southampton say they will be glad to see it go. They complain that air pollution from such nautical behemoths is getting worse every year as cruising becomes the fastest growing sector of the mass tourism industry and as ships get bigger and bigger.

The Harmony, owned by Royal Caribbean, has two four-storey high 16-cylinder Wärtsilä engines which would, at full power, each burn 1,377 US gallons of fuel an hour, or about 66,000 gallons a day of some of the most polluting diesel fuel in the world.

In port, and close to US and some European coasts, the Harmony must burn low sulphur fuel or use abatement technologies. But, says Colin MacQueen, who lives around 400 yards from the docks and is a member of new environment group Southampton Clean Air, the fumes from cruise liners and bulk cargo ships are “definitely” contributing to Southampton’s highly polluted air.



“We can smell, see and taste it. These ships are like blocks of flats. Sometimes there are five or more in the docks at the same time. The wind blows their pollution directly into the city and as far we can tell, there is no monitoring of their pollution. We are pushing for them to use shore power but they have resisted.”

“The liners pollute, but the road traffic that they and the cargo ships generate is also huge,” he adds.

Royal Caribbean, the US owners of the Harmony of the Seas, said that the latest and most efficient pollution control systems were used and that the ship met all legal requirements.

Industry body Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) added that companies had “invested significantly over the last decade to develop new technologies to help reduce air emissions”.

But marine pollution analysts in Germany and Brussels said that such a large ship would probably burn at least 150 tonnes of fuel a day, and emit more sulphur than several million cars, more NO2 gas than all the traffic passing through a medium-sized town and more particulate emissions than thousands of London buses.



According to leading independent German pollution analyst Axel Friedrich, a single large cruise ship will emit over five tonnes of NOX emissions, and 450kg of ultra fine particles a day.

Bill Hemmings, marine expert at Brussels-based Transport and Environment group said: “These ships burn as much fuel as whole towns. They use a lot more power than container ships and even when they burn low sulphur fuel, it’s 100 times worse than road diesel.”



“Air pollution from international shipping accounts for around 50,000 premature deaths per year in Europe alone, at an annual cost to society of more than €58bn [ $65bn],” says the group on its website.

Daniel Rieger, a transport officer at German environment group Nabu, said: “Cruise companies create a picture of being a bright, clean and environmentally friendly tourism sector. But the opposite is true. One cruise ship emits as many air pollutants as five million cars going the same distance because these ships use heavy fuel that on land would have to be disposed of as hazardous waste.”

Nabu has measured pollution in large German ports and found high concentrations of pollutants. “Heavy fuel oil can contain 3,500 times more sulphur than diesel that is used for land traffic vehicles. Ships do not have exhaust abatement technologies like particulate filters that are standard on passenger cars and lorries,” says Rieger.



Southampton, which has Britain’s second largest container port and is Europe’s busiest cruise terminal, is one of nine UK cities cited by the World Health Organisation as breaching air quality guidelines even though it has little manufacturing.

“Up to five large liners a day can be berthed in the docks at the same time, all running engines 24/7, said Chris Hinds, vice chair of the Southampton docks watchdog group WDCF. “Pollution from the port is leading to asthma and chest diseases. We are now seeing more, bigger liners but also very large bulk cargo ships.”



According to CLIA, the cruise ship industry is now one of the fastest growing sectors in the mass tourism market, with 24 million passengers expected to sail in 2016, compared to 15 million in 2006 and just 1.4 million in 1980.



“The industry shows no signs of slowing down. It generated $119.9bn (£83bn) in total output worldwide in 2015, supporting 939,232 full-time equivalent jobs,” said a spokesman.

“The luxury sector is seeing the most amazing growth that it has ever seen in its history,” said Larry Pimentel, president of Azamara club cruises.
• This article was amended on 23 May 2016. An earlier version said the Harmony of the Seas had three 16-cylinder engines which, if running at full power, would burn 96,000 US gallons of fuel a day. It has two such engines which together would burn about 66,000 US gallons of fuel a day if running at full power, and is understood to have four 12 cylinder engines. The article also said the ship must burn low-sulphur fuel in port and close to some coasts; it can also use abatement technologies to meet emissions guidelines.
One crew member of the MS Harmony of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, is killed and four other crew members are injured after a lifeboat fell on them during a training exercise on the ship that was docked in Marseille, France.