A high-end cruise ship capsized in a port after being hit by a strong storm. Chinese authorities reported that the massive vessel, measuring 158 meters long and 30 meters wide, tilted and overturned due to Typhoon Bavi’s impact. The Mingzhu Qihao, also known as Pearl No.7, valued at £22 million, was stationed at Yangfushan Puxi berth in Wenzhou, China when it lost stability around 8 pm on Tuesday.
There were no individuals aboard the hotel-style ship, which lacks an engine, during the incident caused by extreme tides and heavy rainfall in the dock area. Promptly, emergency services arrived to stabilize the ship, and an investigation is now ongoing to determine the cause of the capsize. Local media were informed by a staff member that response teams were managing the situation, with no casualties reported.
A spokesperson from Wenzhou Mingzhu Cruise Company stated that the pontoon ship tilted during a spring tide flood and that emergency protocols were activated immediately. The reason behind the incident is currently being investigated. Officials from Deer District Emergency Management confirmed that the ship, constructed in 2012, was non-operational and empty at the time.
The vessel remained inactive for 14 years due to various setbacks, including failed attempts to transform it into a luxury floating hotel. Previous efforts to relocate it faced opposition from locals, technical challenges, and financial constraints, delaying its official launch repeatedly. The recent tilt at the Ou River berth has reignited interest in the ship’s troubled past and its future prospects at the dock.
In 2012, the ship gained attention when it became stuck under Wenzhou Bridge in China after the crew underestimated its height against the bridge structure.
