One crew member has died and four others have been critically injured in an accident that occurred on a cruise line, Harmony of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean Cruise.

The incident occurred when a lifeboat, with five crewmembers, became separated from the fifth deck of the cruise and fell 33ft into the water during a safety exercise.

A 42-year-old crew member from the Philippines died after the incident, which took place during a stopover in Marseille, France.

"We're keeping our colleagues and their families in our thoughts and prayers."

The four injured crew members are currently being treated at a hospital, reported CNN.

Of the injured crew members, three are from the Philippines and one is from India, reported AFP.

Investigators are yet to draw a conclusion on the main cause of the accident.

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Following the incident, Royal Caribbean Cruise tweeted: “We're keeping our colleagues and their families in our thoughts and prayers.”

Weighing 226,963t, Harmony of the Seas, the biggest cruise-line in the world, can accommodate 6,780 guests and 2,100 crew members.

The vessel, which entered into service in May this year, features a length of 362m.

Harmony of the Seas is taller than a 25-storey building and longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

It offers several on-board luxurious facilities, which include 20 restaurants, 23 swimming pools, a theatre and a casino.


Image: Harmony of the Seas. Photo: courtesy of Kees torn.