By ELIANA SILVER, SENIOR FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
This is the terrifying moment passengers aboard a cruise ship scream as their vessel slams into a cargo ship during a storm in Germany.
The footage shows passengers aboard the Men Schiff 3 peering out of a window as the cruise attempts to leave the Columbus Quay port in Bremerhaven, a port city on Germany’s North Sea coast.
Tugboats are seen assisting the departure as strong winds make it difficult for the huge vessel to stay on course.
Suddenly, a loud crash is heard as the cruise slams into a freighter, sending holidaymakers fleeing across the deck in terror.
According to German media, the cargo ship's hull was ripped open in the collision at 5pm on Sunday.
As of Monday morning, the cruise ship has been unable to depart and is still in the German port.
It was reported that passengers remain on the vessel, which was due to embark on a 20-day trip to the Canary Islands.
The footage shows passengers aboard the Men Schiff 3 peering out of a window as the cruise attempts to leave through a waterway in the Columbus Quay port
A loud crashing noise is heard as the cruise slams into a freighter, sending holidaymakers fleeing across the deck in terror.
According to Bild, the cargo ship's hull was ripped open in the collision
Christian Breden, who had dropped his parents off at the cruise ship, was waving to them from the dock when he saw the crash.
He told German newspaper Bild: 'The ship stood still for several minutes, about 30 meters from the quay. It couldn't make any headway against the wind. The gusts were really strong.'
He explained that around ten minutes later, the crash occurred. His parents, who were on board, witnessed the collision too.
'My parents said it was a crash like they'd never experienced before. There was a shaking and jolting of the ship,' Breden said.
According to Mr Breden's parents, passengers on the other side of the ship didn't even notice the collision, with many discovering the fact at dinner.
There were no injuries and the Bremen Water Police are now investigating the cause of the accident.
Authorities have also confirmed that three vessels were involved in the collision.
A spokesman for the cruise operator said 2,428 passengers and 922 crew members were on board at the time, adding: 'We will provide further information as soon as verified findings are available.'
It comes as Storm Manja is battering northern Germany. Local media reports that winds with peaks of up to 62mph are possible.
On the North Sea coast, hurricane-force gusts of up to 70mph are expected.