Pinoy seaman killed in fiery blast at New Zealand port

An unidentified Filipino OFW was reported dead after a recent explosion near Polt Chalmers in Dunedin, New Zealand. AP file photo

A tragic scenario occurred at Port Chalmers, near Dunedin, New Zealand on Friday, as a Filipino crew member of the Princess cruise ship perished in a fiery explosion.

As per reports from the New Zealand Newswire, the unidentified seaman was onboard the ship when a gas canister unexpectedly erupted. No one else was injured by the explosion, police said.

“The crew member who died is a Filipino man and police are working with the cruise liner to support his family at this sad time,” Inspector Jason Guthries confirmed in a statement.

Authorities from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission are currently conducting a thorough probe of the incident and are examining what other factors led to the man’s death.

Cruise operator Carnival Australia says he is deeply saddened by the crew member’s death and has expressed his condolences to the victim’s family back in the Philippines.

Prior to the unfortunate explosion, the Princess cruise ship was on a 12-night round trip from Sydney to various destinations in New Zealand.

The vessel, which can carry over  3,080 passengers, has remained anchored at Port Chalmers since the incident. Khristian Ibarrola