Firefighters in Canada saved 300 people from a stranded cruise ship in a harrowing overnight rescue operation
- Edmonton Fire Rescue Services removed over 300 people from the Edmonton Riverboat on Saturday after the boat became stuck due to a strong current, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
- The ship, which was sailing in the North Saskatchewan River, was reportedly unable to return to its dock in Alberta due to a current that was moving toward the ship.
- The rescue operation lasted more than five hours, from around 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., local time the CBC said, citing a local fire department official.
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Edmonton Fire Rescue Services removed over 300 people from the Edmonton Riverboat on Saturday after the boat became stuck due to a strong current, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
The ship, which was sailing in the North Saskatchewan River, was reportedly unable to return to its dock in Alberta due to a current that was moving toward the ship. Starting at around 11:30 p.m., the Edmonton Fire Rescue Services began taking over 300 passengers and employees from the boat to shore, the CBC reported, citing the Edmonton Fire Rescue spokeswoman Sarah Jackson. The rescue operation ended at around 5:30 a.m., local time.
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There were no reported injuries from the incident, Global News reported.
"We knew we weren't in danger," passenger Laura St. Jean told the publication.
Hayden Wilson, a passenger who was filming an advertisement for Edmonton's tourism department, told CBC that the ship's crew members helped keep passengers calm.
"The crew did a great job of establishing that there is no real danger, we're just fighting the current and can't get past it," Wilson said.
Edmonton Riverboat said Sunday on Facebook that it was canceling a cruise on Monday to give its crew members time off.
"The boat will be back to shore shortly but we've decided to cancel the 4 PM cruise today so the crew can have a rest," the company said.
Edmonton Riverboat and the Edmonton Fire Rescue Services did not immediately respond to Business Insider's requests for comment.
Have you worked on a cruise ship? Do you have a story to share? Email this reporter at mmatousek@businessinsider.com.
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