- Holland America Cruise Ship Capsizes Hundreds Feared Lost in Sudden Disaster
JIANLI, CHINA – JUNE 05: A view of cruise ship ‘Dong Fang Zhi Xing’ being lifted from the Yangtze River on June 5, 2015 in Jianli, China. Authorities say 14 people survived the disaster, some by jumping from the ship during the early moments and swimming or drifting ashore. PHOTOGRAPH BY Feature China / Future Publishing (Photo credit should read Feature China/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
North Atlantic Ocean A luxury voyage turned into an unthinkable tragedy as a Holland America Line cruise ship, the MS Noordam, capsized suddenly in the early hours of Monday morning, leaving hundreds unaccounted for in what is being called one of the worst maritime disasters in recent years.
The ship, carrying over 2,000 passengers and crew, was en route from Reykjavik to Amsterdam when it reportedly encountered severe weather conditions and rogue waves, causing it to tip violently and ultimately overturn just after 2:15 a.m.
Survivors described a scene of chaos and terror as the ship began to list heavily.
“People were screaming, grabbing life vests, trying to run uphill on tilting floors,” said Emily Harris, a honeymooner from Boston. “Then everything went black. Water was everywhere.”
Emergency signals were sent moments before communication was lost. Rescue teams from multiple nations—including the U.S. Coast Guard and Dutch Navy—rushed to the scene. So far, over 700 people have been rescued, but hundreds remain missing, many feared trapped in lower cabins or swept away by the frigid waters.
Families are gathering at port terminals across Europe and the U.S., waiting in agony for updates. Crisis centers have been set up to provide psychological support and emergency housing for survivors.
Holland America Line released a brief statement expressing “deep sorrow” and vowing full cooperation with global maritime authorities.
“This is a heartbreaking day for all of us,” the statement read. “We are focused on supporting families, rescuing survivors, and understanding how this tragedy occurred.”
Search efforts are ongoing. Experts believe the sudden capsizing may have been caused by a rare ocean phenomenon known as a “freak wave,” which can rise without warning and strike with catastrophic force.
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