One person has died and four others have been injured after a lifeboat became detached from the world's biggest liner, Harmony of the Seas.

The 227,000-ton cruise liner, operated by Florida-based Royal Caribbean - was docked in the French port of Marseille when the 42-year-old Filipino crewman was killed during a safety drill.

Two other members of crew are fighting for their lives in hospital, said Marseille's deputy mayor Julien Ruas.

All five persons were reportedly in the lifeboat when it "became detached" from the ship and "fell 10 metres" into the water.

"One person is dead and four are injured, including two whose lives are in danger," said a spokesman for the fire service.


The ship - dubbed "Europe's biggest hotel" - arrived in the French port city early Tuesday from the Spanish island of Majorca.

The World's Largest Cruise Ship

It cost $1bn (£700m) and has the capacity to carry 6,780 passengers and 2,100 crew members.

It has been compared to a floating city with more than 2,747 staterooms, 20 restaurants, 23 swimming pools and a park with more than 10,000 plants and 50 trees.

It also boasts what it describes as seven neighbourhoods which include a cinema, promenade, sports and youth zones, an entertainment palace and a spa and fitness centre.

At 362 metres (1,188 feet) long, the 16-deck ship is bigger than the Eiffel Tower and is the widest cruise ship ever built at 65 metres (215 feet).

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