The explosion on the Emerald Princess happened yesterday just after 3pm (Australian time), whilst the ship was docked in New Zealand’s Port Chalmers.
The incident on board the Sydney-based cruise line, operated by Princess Cruises and part of Carnival Australia, took place as crew were re-inflating the lifeboats on one of the decks, near the stern of the ship.
According to The Daily Telegraph Australia, the man who died, is not an Australian national.
And Carnival Australia is still attempting to contact his relatives.
David Jones, corporate communications manager for Carnival Australia said that the first reports indicated that the accident occurred “during technical work on the hydraulic launching system on a tender vessel”.
He told the newspaper: “We are deeply saddened that a member of Emerald Princess’ crew was fatally injured in the incident.”
According to local reports, the explosion on the 113-tonne ship, could be heard almost two kilometres award.
A 45kg gas bottle apparently exploded, flying through the air and killing the crew member.
Krystal Friggieri was on board the cruise ship on a nearby deck when the incident unfolded.
She told The New Zealand Heard: “There was an explosion, it was pretty loud.. all I saw then was the gas bottle spinning on the (wharf).”
Krystal added that the ship’s captain spoke to all the passengers using the intercom shortly afterwards and informed them that someone had died.
“He’s been keeping us informed. Everyone’s a bit upset,” she went on to say.
