P&O Arvia Crew Member Dies in Elevator Accident: Investigation Reveals Details

A crew member aboard P&O Cruises’ Arvia died on October 26, 2025, following an accident involving a passenger elevator. An investigation by the U.K. Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released an interim report detailing the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.

What Happened?

The crew member, an electrical technician, was testing a passenger elevator on the Arvia while the ship was en route from Southampton, England, to Tenerife, Spain. Repairs had been completed on the elevator earlier that evening. The technician was working with the staff electro-technical officer (SETO).

According to the MAIB report, the electrical technician traveled from deck 11 to deck 12 to inspect the top of the elevator car. When attempting to open the shaft doors on deck 12, the release key malfunctioned. He then proceeded to deck 14, where he successfully opened the doors.

As the SETO left the elevator car intending to join the technician on deck 14, the elevator car and shaft doors on deck 11 automatically closed. Simultaneously, the electrical technician entered the elevator shaft from deck 14, and the doors closed behind him. The elevator then “automatically reactivated and moved up, crushing the electrical technician between the lift car and the side of the lift shaft.” Source

Emergency Response and Aftermath

A medical emergency was immediately declared, and the ship’s doctor pronounced the electrical technician deceased shortly after. The Arvia diverted to A Coruña, Spain, where local emergency services met the ship. Source

The official cause of death was not confirmed at the time of the interim report’s release, and the investigation remains ongoing. The MAIB has stated that the findings are based on the investigation completed to date and are subject to change as new evidence emerges.

P&O Cruises Statement

P&O Cruises confirmed the death of the crew member and expressed condolences to their family and friends. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends both on board and at home and we are providing every possible support to them,” a representative stated on October 27, 2025. Source

Investigation and Next Steps

Inspectors from the U.K.’s MAIB are investigating the incident. A team joined the Arvia in Tenerife to conduct a preliminary assessment and determine the next steps in the investigation. Source The ship, which can carry up to 5,200 guests and 1,800 crew, was on a 14-night transatlantic voyage to the Caribbean at the time of the accident.

The Arvia is a relatively new ship, having had its maiden voyage in December 2022. Source