A group of robbers in southern Chile stole around 200 pieces of luggage that were being transported to one of the new Hurtigruten ships embarking this week on an expensive cruise to Antarctica. None of the passengers themselves was robbed, but around 15 opted to skip the trip.
Hurtigruten’s new ship Roald Amundsen was waiting at the dock in the southern Chilean city of Punta Arenas Thursday, ready to sail to Antarctica. A truck transporting the passengers’ luggage to the vessel, however, reportedly was hijacked.
The truck was later found, but without all the suitcases and bags it was carrying. Hurtigruten spokesperson Hanne Taalesen said the shipping line, best known for its decades of voyages along the Norwegian coast, has never experienced such a robbery, nor had the ground transport firm it has used for many years.
Taalesen said Hurtigruten officials assisted the majority of passengers with acquiring new clothes and other necessary items for the trip, which can be quite chilly. The cruise, fares for which start at around NOK 50,000 (USD 5,500) per person, was delayed: “Many of the passengers were of course very sad about this. It’s incredibly frustrating when you’ve traveled so far and then this happens.”
Chile has undergone great turbulence in recent months, with major demonstrations and political unrest.
newsinenglish.no staff
