Mother demands answers after son dies aboard cruise ship - IOL

A Durban mother says her family was left with unanswered questions after her 21-year-old son died aboard the MSC Euribia in October 2025.

MSC Cruises says he suffered a sudden deterioration and cardiac arrest, and that it assisted with repatriation and funeral costs.

Zenith Adams, 56, an administrative clerk from Newlands East, said her 21-year-old son, Laeeq, was a young man with ambitions of seeing the world, supporting his family and eventually starting one of his own.

She said he had been working aboard the MSC Euribia for seven months as an assistant waiter.

 It was his first contract at sea, but Adams said he had already secured another contract with Opera Vessel, which was due to start on November 29, 2025.

For his family, the job represented an opportunity for Laeeq to experience the world while building a better future.

Adams said the family last saw him in April 2025, but remained in regular contact through video calls.

He had been expected to return home in July for three weeks.

“In what was my last call to him, he looked tired, but he was still jovial. “Our conversation was about what series I was watching, as the ship only had old stuff, and what nice food I was going to cook when he got home,” Adams said.

She did not realise it would be their last conversation.

Adams said they did not speak during the two days before his death because Laeeq had become ill.

Then, on October 18, the family received the devastating news that Laeeq had passed away.

“A family member contacted me because he knew people on board the Euribia who told him Laeeq had passed away. He was declared dead in the early hours of the morning,” she said.

The family initially learnt of his death through people aboard the vessel and social media.

“We saw people's statuses change to ‘rest in peace’. Then his girlfriend called and told me. I did not know her, so she sent me pictures of the two of them together to show it was the correct person,” Adams said.

She said she was subsequently contacted by a paramedic and a doctor, while later that afternoon MSC representative Lisa Moses contacted her husband.

According to Adams, the family was told that Laeeq had initially presented with a fever and sore throat and had been sent to his cabin.

She said they were later informed that he had started to vomit.

Adams said the post-mortem examination subsequently recorded acute lung injury, which she said she was told could have resulted in a heart attack.

The family is still awaiting the toxicology report.

For Adams, however, the medical explanation has not answered the questions that continue to haunt her.

“They were travelling from Germany to South Africa. I just want to know what his day was like before he passed away. Was he aware that he was dying?” she said.

The circumstances surrounding his final hours have left the family seeking greater clarity about what happened aboard the vessel and what medical care Laeeq received before his death.

Adams also criticised the manner in which she said the family was treated during the repatriation and funeral process.

She said the family was initially told to follow the mortuary vehicle to view Laeeq.

“MSC is so insensitive. They told us to follow the mortuary van to view him. I refused. Then they allowed us on board,” she said.

Adams said the condition in which the body was presented to the family compounded their distress.

She alleged that the doctor aboard the ship had not prepared Laeeq's body for the post-mortem examination, resulting in a further delay of two days.

The family then faced a lengthy wait before Laeeq could be brought home.

Adams said the family waited 10 days for his body to return to South Africa and they continued with their religious mourning practices during that period.

She said the eventual release of the body left the family with very little time to prepare for the funeral.

“The day his body was released from the mortuary, we literally had one hour to arrange a funeral,” Adams said.

The family eventually buried Laeeq on October 31.

She also raised concerns about financial arrangements with MSC following his death.

Adams said the company told the family it had contributed to charity and would cover funeral-related costs, but she questioned whether the support adequately reflected the circumstances faced by the family.

“MSC said they gave to charity. Yes, they did, but they got off lightly because they were supposed to pay for his body to be repatriated,” she said.

Adams said the family was also asked to provide receipts for funeral expenses.

“Which grieving mum keeps receipts, bearing in mind we waited 19 days for his body to come home?” she said.

For Adams, the issue goes beyond financial compensation. She wants cruise companies to reconsider how they communicate with families when an employee dies at sea.

She believes protocols should be changed so that families are given clearer information, practical assistance and greater sensitivity from the moment a death occurs.

Adams said she hoped that by speaking publicly about her experience, another family could be spared some of the distress she endured.

MSC Cruises SA told Sunday Tribune that Laeeq suffered sudden deterioration in his condition and cardiac arrest. 

“We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of our colleague, Laeeq Adams, and once again extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. Laeeq joined MSC Cruises in April 2025, and was employed onboard the vessel, MSC Euribia, as an assistant waiter. 

“In the early hours of October 18, 2025, Laeeq experienced a sudden deterioration in his condition and subsequently suffered a cardiac arrest. Despite the best efforts of the onboard medical team, they were unfortunately unable to revive him. Laeeq’s father was informed of his passing on the same morning. 

“When a crew member or passenger passes away onboard, the vessel follows the applicable medical, maritime, port, repatriation and reporting procedures. These include attending to the deceased through the onboard medical team, recording and reporting the death to the relevant authorities, notifying the appropriate family representatives, preserving the deceased’s dignity, and facilitating repatriation in accordance with the requirements of the relevant jurisdictions and authorities.”

MSC Cruises SA said they have since assisted his family with his repatriation, funeral costs and other expenses.

“We have been in contact with Laeeq’s family since his passing and have provided assistance where possible. As an expression of our condolences and support, we offered to assist with Laeeq’s burial and funeral expenses, as well as in respect of the costs associated with the customary 40- and 100-day memorial ceremonies.  We further assisted in repatriating Laeeq to South Africa. 

“This was undertaken in accordance with all applicable international maritime health requirements relating to the preservation of a deceased person. In addition, we elected to donate to two schools nominated by his family in Laeeq’s name. Since the passing we have continued to engage extensively with Laeeq’s family regarding his personal belongings. 

“Although some personal belongings, particularly Laeeq’s onboard purchases, could not be located, we made a payment to his family for the value of those items, and made an additional ex gratia payment as a gesture of support.”

They also responded to concerns over access to his records and personal belongings.

“With regard to access to his personnel or other records, these requests are subject to due process set by regulations, which we are obliged to follow. Regrettably, a number of inaccurate statements have been made regarding Laeeq’s untimely passing and our subsequent engagements with his family, including those which stipulate that we have refused to provide Laeeq’s family with access to his personnel or other records. This is not the case. 

“While Laeeq’s passing occurred onboard and was reported through the applicable channels, we are not authorised to issue an official death certificate. We therefore requested that his family provide us with a copy of his official death certificate, as required in the process to progress their request. This was only received during the past week, following a significant period of time, and the family’s request will now be addressed in accordance with standard procedure.   

“Throughout the period following Laeeq's passing, we have remained in regular communication with the family and sought to accommodate their requests wherever reasonably possible.  The passing of a colleague is felt deeply throughout our organisation, and Laeeq's death has been no exception. We remain committed to addressing any outstanding matters through the appropriate channels, while honouring Laeeq's memory with the dignity and respect he deserves,” said MSC Cruises SA.