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- Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
- It is my sad duty to report that a significant and tragic incident involving guests from Celebrity Cruises' Millennium occurred yesterday at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. Eastern Time) in a remote area about 28 miles northeast of Arica, Chile.
- Before I begin, let me assure everyone watching and listening today that all of us at Celebrity Cruises are doing everything possible to assist guests and family members affected by this terrible event. Although this situation continues to evolve, we will now share with you what we have been able to confirm to this point. Let me also assure you that will continue to provide you updates as additional facts become known.
- Now, here's what we do know at this time:
- Fourteen guests from Celebrity Cruises' Millennium who were riding in a bus operated by an independent tour operator not affiliated with our cruise line were involved in an accident about 28 miles northeast of Arica, Chile. According to reports, the guests were returning from Lauca National Park on an independent, private tour they had arranged.
- We understand at this time that the bus in which they were riding swerved to avoid an approaching truck on a rugged mountain highway. The bus apparently ran off the road and plunged 300 feet down a mountainside.
- 12 guests on the bus were killed, and two other guests were injured in the accident. Reports indicate that the Chilean driver of the bus and the tour guide also were injured.
- The guests who were involved in the accident are part of a larger, 64-person B'nai B'rith group. Celebrity Cruises is consulting with a rabbi to advise us on how best to support the families.
- Responders to the accident scene transported the injured to the Arica Juan Noah Hospital for treatment. It is my understanding that the two injured guests are now in stable condition and have been moved to an ICU unit as a precaution. In a few moments, Dr. Lynn can address any questions you may have about their condition.
- Upon learning of the accident, Millennium's captain dispatched a physician, nurse and concierge to the hospital to assist the injured and local medical personnel.
- Celebrity Cruises also notified the U.S. Consulate, U.S. Coast Guard and Bahamian authorities. The company is now working in close coordination with those entities, as well as Chilean authorities, to assist the injured and the families of those killed or injured in the accident.
- I want to assure everyone that all of us at Celebrity Cruises are doing whatever we can to assist in the investigation now under way. And, we will continue to do so as that investigation continues to unfold.
- Millennium departed Valparaiso, Chile, March 19 on a 14-night sailing that is scheduled to conclude in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 2. Yesterday's accident occurred on the fourth day of the cruise and at the first port call. Millennium was carrying1,536 guests and 920 crew members on this particular sailing.
- Millennium was scheduled to leave Arica last night at 7 p.m. local time for its next port call at Lima, Peru, on Friday. In an effort to assist authorities and allow any guests who wish to depart the ship, we have postponed Millennium's departure from Arica until about 9 a.m. local time today.
- This morning, the ship will conduct a service onboard for guests who wish to pay their respect to those involved in the accident. We also have opened all phone lines and Internet access to guests onboard Millennium so they can communicate with their friends and loved ones to apprise them of their safety.
- The ship's physician, nurse and concierge dispatched to the hospital will remain in Arica to assist Chilean medical personnel, as well as family members of those guests involved in the accident.
- Celebrity Cruises has established two toll-free telephone lines for family members of guests sailing on Millennium for this cruise. Please let me emphasize that these numbers are for family members ONLY. Callers in North America should dial 1-888-829-4050. Again, that number is 1-888-829-4050.
- Callers from outside North America should call the following number collect: 305-539-4050. Again, callers from outside North America should call collect: 305-539-4050.
- Let me repeat that these numbers are for family members only, and we are requesting that the general public not call them. This will allow families of those onboard Millennium to receive the information they need in a timely manner.
- I would also ask that the media and others respect the privacy of our guests, crew and their families as the authorities work to determine the cause of this terrible accident. These individuals need some time and space to begin to deal with the situation.
- In transit to Arica is a special-assistance team from our Miami headquarters led by our Vice President for Marine Operations, John Krousouloudis. The rabbi also is with this team. These team members will be on the scene at about 11 a.m. local time to render whatever assistance possible.
- At this time, Celebrity Cruises is flying family members of those involved in the accident, and who choose to go, to Chile. We are not disclosing the departure locations of these flights to provide these family members the privacy they need during this painful, enormously difficult time.
- I would like to add that Celebrity Cruises is, at this point, unable to provide the names of the guests who were involved in this terrible accident out of respect for their families. As I said, some of those family members are in the air now, on their way to identify their loved ones.
- At this moment, all of us share the pain and anguish of this terrible event. We are devastated. On behalf of everyone at Celebrity Cruises, I'd like to extend our thoughts and prayers to everyone whose lives have been touched by this tragedy.
- Our first concern and primary focus remains with those people touched in some way by this terrible event. I pledge that Celebrity Cruises will do whatever we can to help find the answers we all want... and need. I also promise that I - and all other members of our senior-management team - will remain personally involved in efforts to find those answers.
- Thank you. At this time, I will now turn things over to Dr. Lynn from Jackson Memorial Hospital.
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