Cruise Ship Breaks Down Off Ponza Island

Rome: A cruise ship in the MSC line broke down off the island of Ponza in the Pontine Archipelago off Latina south of Rome on Monday. The “MSC World Europa” cruise ship experienced damage approximately 8 nautical miles off the Ponza.

According to Ansa News Agency, the problem occurred at 7:25 this morning when the cruise ship, sailing from Genoa to Naples with 8,585 people on board (6,496 passengers and 2,089 crew members), reported an electrical problem with its engines.

The Coast Guard says the situation on board is calm: weather and sea conditions are favorable, and essential passenger services continue to be provided by the onboard generators. Two tugboats have already departed from the ports of Gioia Tauro and Naples, respectively, to assist the cruise ship and then safely bring it to the port of Naples.