A Durban mother is seeking answers about the final hours of her 21-year-old son, who died aboard the MSC Euribia in October 2025.
Zenith Adams, 56, from Newlands East, says the death of her son, Laeeq, has left the family with unanswered questions about what happened before he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.
MSC Cruises SA says Laeeq experienced a sudden deterioration in his condition and subsequently suffered cardiac arrest in the early hours of October 18, 2025. Despite efforts by the onboard medical team, he could not be revived.
Laeeq had been working aboard the MSC Euribia as an assistant waiter for seven months. It was his first contract at sea, and Adams said he had already secured another contract with Opera Vessel, which was due to begin on November 29.
She described her son as ambitious and said working at sea had given him an opportunity to see the world while building a better future for himself and his family.
The family last saw Laeeq in April 2025 but remained in regular contact through video calls. He had been expected to return home in July for three weeks.
Adams said their final conversation took place shortly before he became ill.
The family did not speak to Laeeq during the two days before his death because he had reportedly become ill.
Adams said the family initially learnt of his death through people aboard the vessel and social media.
“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.
She said she subsequently received calls from a paramedic and a doctor, while an MSC representative later contacted her husband.
According to Adams, the family was initially told that Laeeq had developed a fever and sore throat and had been sent to his cabin. They were later informed that he had started vomiting.
A post-mortem examination recorded acute lung injury. Adams said the family was told this could have resulted in a heart attack.
The family is still awaiting the toxicology report.
However, Adams says the medical explanation has not answered the questions surrounding her son’s final hours.
“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.
She also questioned whether enough information was provided to the family about Laeeq’s condition and the medical care he received before his death.
Adams has raised further concerns about the repatriation process and the treatment of the family following his death.
She said the family was initially instructed 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 also alleged that the doctor aboard the vessel had not prepared Laeeq’s body for the post-mortem examination, which she said resulted in a further two-day delay.
The family ultimately waited 10 days for his body to return to South Africa while continuing with their religious mourning practices.
Adams said the family had very little time to make funeral arrangements once the body was released.
Laeeq was buried on October 31.
Adams also questioned the financial arrangements following her son’s death, saying the family was 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, however, the matter is not primarily about financial compensation. She wants cruise companies to improve their procedures for dealing with families when crew members die at sea.
She believes families should receive clearer information, practical assistance and greater sensitivity from the moment a death occurs.
Adams said she decided to speak publicly about her experience in the hope that other families would not have to endure similar distress.
MSC Cruises responds
MSC Cruises SA said it extended its condolences to the Adams family and maintained that it followed the applicable procedures after Laeeq’s death.
“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,” the company said.
MSC said Laeeq joined the company in April 2025 and was employed as an assistant waiter aboard the MSC Euribia.
The company said he suffered a sudden deterioration in his condition in the early hours of October 18, followed by cardiac arrest.
“Despite the best efforts of the onboard medical team, they were unfortunately unable to revive him,” MSC said.
The company said his father was informed of his death that same morning.
MSC said deaths involving crew members or passengers are handled according to medical, maritime, port, repatriation and reporting requirements.
It said these procedures include notifying relevant authorities and family representatives, preserving the deceased’s dignity and facilitating repatriation.
The cruise company said it assisted the family with the repatriation of Laeeq’s body, burial and funeral expenses, as well as costs related to customary 40- and 100-day memorial ceremonies.
MSC also said it donated to two schools nominated by the family in Laeeq’s name.
The company said it had continued engaging with the family over his personal belongings.
It acknowledged that some of his belongings, including onboard purchases, could not be located, but said it had compensated the family for their value and made an additional ex gratia payment.
On concerns about access to Laeeq’s personnel and other records, MSC said such requests are subject to regulatory procedures.
The company also disputed claims that it had refused to provide the family with access to his records.
MSC said it was not authorised to issue an official death certificate and had requested a copy from the family so that their request for records could be processed.
The company said the death certificate was only received during the past week and that the family’s request would now be addressed through standard procedures.
“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,” MSC said.
The company added that it remained committed to resolving any outstanding matters while honouring Laeeq’s memory with dignity and respect.
Based on reporting by IOL NEWS