Woman dies as gangway comes off while boarding ‘MSC Splendida’ in Genova

The woman plunged a height of 12 metres when the gangway leading to the luxury cruise ship apparently gave way, throwing her into the sea.

Police said the woman fell into the sea between the quay and the ship’s starboard side and drowned, while crew members jumped in a bid to save her.

Another man, thought to be the woman’s husband also fell off the gangway, and landed on the concrete quay, suffering serious head and leg injuries.

He is reported to be in a critical condition in Genova’s main hospital.

On board the cruise ship that will be in Malta on Tuesday, are 120 Maltese. A good number of them were reportedly out on an excursion to Porto Fino at the time of the incident.

All Maltese are ok and were not affected by the incident.