Cruise ship explosion

A crew member on the Emerald Princess cruise ship is dead after a gas canister exploded on the vessel at Port Chalmers, Dunedin.

St John spokesman Ian Henderson said paramedics were called about 5.20pm yesterday by the Fire Service.

‘‘We sent one ambulance to Port Chalmers. We did not transport any patient from the scene – one person was deceased at the scene,’’ he said.

In a statement, Carnival Australia communications manager David Jones said initial reports suggested the incident happened during technical work on the hydraulic launching system on a tender vessel.

‘‘We are working closely with local police and other authorities and assisting in their response and inquiries.

‘‘We are deeply saddened that a member of Emerald Princess’ crew was fatally injured in the incident.’’

In a statement, Port Otago said passengers who were returning to the ship at the time of the explosion were held in the port’s cruise facility, then taken directly to the ship’s gangway by bus. It was understood the explosion was caused by a nitrogen gas cylinder.

Inspector Jason Guthrie said no-one else was injured in the explosion. The deceased was a male, he said.

Port Chalmers resident Kristi Howley said she heard fire sirens go off.

‘‘I heard something that I thought was containers falling . . . it was very loud and it did make me jump out of my seat.’’

Jones said the ship would not depart Dunedin until it was cleared to do so by authorities.