Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
Video Credit: CEN/Juan Carlos Diaz Lorenzo
This footage shows three container lorries that have overturned on board a ferry bound for Majorca that was caught in a heavy storm.
The Hypatia de Alejandria ferry, owned by the company Balearia, was headed to Alcudia in Majorca in the Balearic Islands after departing from the Port of Barcelona in the north-eastern Spanish region of Catalonia.
The ferry was then expected to continue to Ciudadella in the island of Menorca, also in the Balearic Islands, but was diverted back to Majorca due to the storm and high waves, according to local media.
Reports said that waves as high as eight metres (26 feet) battered the ferry and caused three lorries on board to overturn.
Two heavy goods vehicles belonged to a supermarket chain while the other was transporting a cargo of newspapers, according to local media.
In total, the ferry was transporting 77 lorries and 75 cars and 253 passengers were on board and other vehicles were reportedly damaged.
The ferry was diverted to the Majorca’s capital Palma as the port there has cranes that are better equipped to deal with the overturned lorries.
One lorry driver told local media: “The lorries were not tied, it was complete negligence.”
Another driver said: “When we woke up at around 5am, we were not told anything. The ferry was rocking a lot and objects were flying around.
“With the bad weather, the ferry should never have departed.”
According to local media, 148 incidents related to the weather were reported in eastern Spain as the authorities warned residents that more storms are expected to continue for the rest of the week.
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