Sète, France – Hundreds of Algerian passengers are stranded at the port of Sète in southern France after a scheduled ferry to Algeria was abruptly canceled on Saturday. The unexpected disruption has left families, including children and elderly individuals, in a state of uncertainty, with little information provided about the fate of their journey or a potential alternative departure time.
The vessel, operated by Italian shipping company GNV, was slated to depart at approximately 6:00 AM. However, a last-minute legal injunction prevented the ship from leaving the harbor, effectively canceling the voyage despite passengers having already boarded and preparations being complete.
Eyewitness accounts describe chaotic scenes at the port, with many families arriving from various locations within France, as well as from Belgium and the United Kingdom, after long and arduous journeys. They had hoped to embark on the ferry to Algeria.
Passengers report receiving conflicting messages, with some notified late Friday night about a possible delay until midday Saturday. However, the ship remained docked throughout the day, with no official explanation offered by port authorities or the shipping company regarding the cancellation or a revised departure schedule.
The lack of communication has fueled frustration and resentment among the stranded passengers. One traveler stated that the atmosphere has been shrouded in ambiguity since early morning, with no clear information provided by either the port administration or GNV. Some families were reportedly forced to spend the night in their cars near the port.
The affected vessel has a capacity of approximately 2,500 passengers and is part of the GNV’s recently launched maritime routes connecting Sète to Algiers and Bejaia, aimed at providing enhanced sea transport options for the Algerian diaspora in Europe. This incident raises questions about the reliability of these services and the communication protocols in place when disruptions occur. DZWatch will continue to follow this developing story.
