Audio By Carbonatix
A cruise ship has run aground in Papua New Guinea (PNG), on its first trip following the death of an elderly passenger in late October.
The Coral Adventurer is currently under investigation for the death of Suzanne Rees, 80, who died on a remote Australian island after being left behind by the ship.
On Saturday, the vessel suffered a "grounding incident" off the eastern coast of Papua New Guinea, around 30km (18 miles) from city of Lae, a spokesperson for the ship said.
All passengers and crew aboard the cruise ship have been reported safe, and initial inspections have not revealed any damage to the hull. Further inspections will take place on Sunday.
In a statement to the BBC, a spokesperson for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said they had not received a distress call from the Coral Adventurer.
It added they were monitoring the situation and would support PNG authorities if necessary.
No decisions have been made about the current 12-day voyage, which was due to finish on 30 December.
There were 80 passengers and 43 crew members aboard the ship at the time of the incident. The 12-day voyage was due to finish on 30 December.
The Coral Adventurer is currently the subject of a joint investigation by AMSA and Queensland Police, after the death of Suzanne Rees, the 80-year-old passenger who was found dead on Lizard Island on 26 October.
Ms Rees had been hiking on the island with fellow passengers, but broke off from the group for a rest.
The ship left without her and returned several hours later after the crew realised the woman was missing.
A major search operation found her body the following day.
The ship was just two days into a 60-day voyage at the time of Ms Rees's death. The remainder of the cruise was cancelled with full refunds offered to all passengers.
The CEO of Coral Expeditions, Mark Fifield, said that the company was "deeply sorry that this has occurred" and had offered its full support to the Rees family.
Fifield added that the cruise operator was "working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigation".
AMSA was not able to comment on the status of the investigation, and told the BBC that it was "not in the practice of making the results of its investigations public".
Latest Stories
-
Real Madrid beaten at home by Getafe for second successive loss
16 minutes -
‘Clubs refused to look at me after my crash’ – Antonio on Qatar move
27 minutes -
Mayweather to fight kickboxer before Pacquiao rematch
37 minutes -
India and Canada reset ties with ‘landmark’ nuclear energy deal
46 minutes -
Mahama should equally credit NPP for economic stability – Economist
49 minutes -
Interior Ministry releases funds to settle 2025 rent allowance arrears for security services
2 hours -
Ghana evacuates diplomatic staff from Iran; embassy shut indefinitely — Ablakwa
2 hours -
France to boost nuclear arsenal and extend deterrence to European allies
2 hours -
Chinese community in Ghana marks ‘Year of the Horse’ with grand new year festival
2 hours -
When regional instability becomes national risk: Ghanaian tomato traders killings
2 hours -
Photos: President Mahama meets Tanzania President Suluhu Hassan
2 hours -
Mahama calls for cessation of Iran-US-Israel conflict, urging return to dialogue
3 hours -
Fuel prices could rise if Middle East conflict escalates – ACEP Boss
3 hours -
Elsie Addo Awadzi: Leadership reflections, one year on; 7 lessons from 7 years in public office
3 hours -
Finance Minister announces expiration of DDEP-induced restrictions on domestic bond issuance
3 hours
