12 Tourists From U.S. Die in Chile

Twelve American passengers from a cruise bound for Fort Lauderdale died Wednesday when a tour bus plunged 300 feet down a mountainside while the ship was docked at Arica, in northern Chile, officials said.

Two other passengers from the Celebrity Cruises ship Millennium were seriously injured, as were a Chilean driver and tour guide.

The cruise line could not immediately confirm the hometowns of the victims.

Celebrity President Dan Hanrahan extended “deepest sympathies” Wednesday night to relatives of those involved in the crash.

“We continue to make every effort to provide comfort and assistance to our guests and their families who have been affected by this tragic accident,” Hanrahan said in a statement.

Millennium was on the fourth day of a 14-day cruise that began in Valparaiso, Chile, and was scheduled to arrive at Port Everglades on April 2.

The crash occurred as the bus made its way back from Lauca National Park along a narrow highway.

“The road in that area has several cliffs and is very curvy,” Juan Carlos Poli, an Arica city hall spokesman, told the Associated Press by telephone. He said the driver reported he had lost control of the bus while swerving to avoid a truck.

Celebrity officials said the bus tour was not affiliated with the cruise line.

On cruises, passengers often buy additional tours when the ships stop at a port.

Those injured in the accident were taken to a hospital in Arica, about 1,250 miles north of the Chilean capital, Santiago.

U.S. Embassy spokesman John Vance, who also confirmed the 12 deaths, said the embassy was sending consular officers to Arica.

Celebrity said family members of passengers can call a toll-free number, 1-888-829-4050, from North America for updates.