The tragic accident on board the Harmony of the Seas needs specialist maritime legal advice to provide answers

This week, an horrific accident on board the world's biggest cruise ship has resulted in the death of one crew member, with four more workers seriously injured.

While the huge ship, which can carry more than 8,000 passengers and crew, was docked off Marseille in the south of France, it seems a routine training drill went wrong, resulting in a lifeboat falling more than 10 metres.

The crew member who died was a 42-year-old Philippines national. The four other crew members, who, according to reports, include other Philippines nationals and an Indian man, are currently being treated in hospital. Investigators are currently working to find out the cause of the accident.

The Royal Caribbean Cruise Company that operates the Harmony of the Seas confirmed the death on Twitter. The company said it was keeping colleagues and their families in its "thoughts and prayers".

This tragedy now needs expert legal care to aid investigators and find answers for the company and for the families of the crew.

Maritime law is complicated by the fact that the high seas fall outside the jurisdiction of one country. Any investigation will benefit from a law firm such as Fieldfisher, experienced in dealing with accidents at sea and with the major maritime insurers based in the City of London.