EUROPA

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Cruise ship held in Cape Town until all return passengers have been tested

On Nov 30, 2021, at 8 a.m. the 'Europa' arrived off Cape Town, en route from Lüderitz, and berthed at berth E of the Duncan Dock. As soon as she was safely alongside, the bunker tanker 'Al Safa' went alongside and transferred an amount of bunker fuel across to her. The current cruise, numbered 2122, started in Tenerife, calling at Praia, Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, and terminating in Cape Town. The vessel was scheduled to remain alongside in Cape Town until Dec 2 before starting cruise number 2123 to Mauritius, calling at Lüderitz, Walvis Bay, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Reunion and Port Louis. However, the identification of the Omicron variant of the Covid virus has resulted in the cancellation of all shore excursions and ship visits. There were 157 passengers due to disembark at Cape Town with the end of the cruise, with most scheduled to fly back to Europe over the next three days. The outcome was that they were all being held aboard Europa until they have been tested, prior to flying home. As such, the 'Europa' had to remain in Cape Town harbour for a further day to allow for these tests and results to take place. Her sailing from Cape Town has been delayed from Dec 2 to 3. A State laboratory has been set up in the Cruise Terminal to conduct the testing on all those passengers who are scheduled to disembark, and return home via Cape Town International Airport.

Body of Kai Wünsche drifted onto beach

The body of the missing Kai Wünsche was drifted onto the beach of Texel island on Aug 24., 10 days after hee went missing from the 'Europa'. The Dutch police confirmed his death after an investigation. There was no suspicion into his death. The police investigations were thus finished.

No suspicion in case of missing multi-millionaire Wünsche

On Aug 17 the 'Europa' berthed in Antwerp, one day after the multi-millionaire and fashion mogul Kai Wünsche (81) was lost over board in the North Sea. The 81-year-old was on the board the whole way from Bordeaux to Kiel. When the cruise ship passed the Dutch island of Texel, his husband reported him missing. Immediately the captain turned the ship around, alerted the Dutch Coast Guard and started looking for the missing person. The ship was also searched without result. The Coast Guard deployed a helicopter, an aircraft and five lifeboats. Conditions were difficult, the sea was rough and the waves were about five meters high. After the stop, the ship resumed the route. The missing person's travel companion was taken care of. There was so far no evidence of an accident or a third-party fault. The man was said to have suffered from depression for a long time. Wish had built a fashion empire over the years with the fashion brands Joop! and Cinque, but the fashion division went bankrupt in 2002. Furthermore, Wünsche is the owner of several luxury properties in Hamburg.