Two people died over the weekend after being exposed to toxic gases during the dismantling process of the ship once used as a set for the television show "The Love Boat," according to the company that recently bought the ship and reported by FOX News. The two men died of smoke inhalation resulting from a plumbing issue.
In addition to the two deaths, there were six other people injured from the toxic air. They were sent to the hospital and released after being treated, according to Izmir Ship Recycling Company, the firm that purchased the ship, paying 2.5 million euros for it.
The attorney general's office in Aliaga has launched an investigation into the accident, though investigators haven't yet been able to access the site. The company first has to finish draining the water and then turn the ship onto its side to allow investigators to continue.
The ship had finished its final voyage and was scheduled for dismantling for its parts, though it was damaged as it entered the port of Aliaga in the Izmir province of Turkey. The ship then started to take on water in a storage area under the main engine.
On Saturday, crews began working to drain the water from the ship through the use of electrical pumps. This led to a build up of engine exhaust that created toxic air, according to Izmir Ship Recycling Company. The process is expected to take seven to eight months.
The boat was originally called the Pacific Princess. It measures 171 meters long and 24 meters wide. It was used in the filming of "The Love Boat" from 1977 to 1987 after being built for New York to Bermuda cruise services, where it was used for three years. It was renamed at the conclusion of the television series and used to give tours of the Mediterranean Sea.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
