Australians aboard a ship headed for the virus death zone are now on their way home
They feared the only way they would return to Australia from the cruise ship Costa Victoria would be in body bags. But these Australians are finally on their way home - very much alive.
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More than 200 Australians onboard a cruise ship who feared they would be sent home in “body bags” are now flying back to Australia after a harrowing experience in Europe.
The Aussies onboard the Costa Victoria were told last week they would be disembarking in Venice, Italy - the worst-hit coronavirus country in the world with more than 10,000 deaths so far.
They quickly dubbed it the “death ship” as the 28-day cruise turned into a nightmare.
They were not given any indication that travel arrangements would be made to get them safely back to Australia.
But the cruise company finally organised for them to be flown back from Perth early this morning Australian time.
“It’s real, it’s real, so thanks so much, crying happy here,” Sue Morgan from Melbourne said on social media.
To understand the fear these Australians have lived with for the past two weeks, Sue sent this journalist a message a few days ago in which she said she was resigned to the worst outcome:
“I feel I’ve had my life, I have been blessed, I had three beautiful children, a wonderful loving family with best siblings one’s ever fortunate to have, and … Lauren the most amazing daughter (in law) and brilliant grandkids, I’ve lived a full life.”
But now Sue and her family and the families of the other Aussies on board are just thrilled that their loved ones are on the way home.
It’s understood the plane will land in Perth today.
The passengers had been locked down in their cabins since Monmday after a passenger tested positive to the virus.
The ship was set to go to Venice, but passengers pleaded with the crew not to be taken to northern Italy, the hardest hit region.