Barcelona, April 30, 2025 — In an unprecedented maritime emergency, the Marella Explorer cruise ship was forcibly evacuated early this morning after an unidentified gas leak triggered mass panic among passengers and crew just hours after leaving port.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight as the ship sailed off the coast of Spain. Passengers reported sudden dizziness, nausea, and burning sensations in the eyes and throat, prompting an emergency response. The ship’s captain ordered an immediate halt and issued an evacuation alert as internal sensors detected what is now being called a “mystery chemical presence” in the lower deck ventilation system.
Several passengers were seen collapsing in corridors, and emergency crews in hazmat suits were airlifted aboard by helicopter. Over 300 passengers were evacuated to nearby rescue vessels, with 14 people hospitalized, three in critical condition.
“We thought it was just seasickness at first,” said Maria Jenkins, a traveler from Manchester. “Then people started fainting. It was terrifying — alarms went off, and they told us to leave everything behind.”
Officials from Marella Cruises confirmed the evacuation but have not yet released details about the nature of the gas. Authorities are now conducting a full forensic investigation. All future sailings of the Marella Explorer have been suspended indefinitely until the cause is determined.
This marks one of the most dramatic cruise ship incidents in recent years, shaking confidence in onboard safety protocols and raising urgent questions about the ship’s maintenance and environmental safety systems.