Foreign Desk: A tragedy occurred aboard the historic yacht Kojo, which Princess Diana and her boyfriend Dodi Al-Fayed used during their recent summer vacation in the south of France. The 62-foot (19 m) luxury vessel sank 21 miles (35 km) off Beaulieu-sur-Mer after issuing a distress call.
All seven passengers on board were rescued by teams from Antibes before the yacht plunged into the depths of the Mediterranean Sea and came to a halt at 2,500 meters (8,200 ft).
Kujo attracted worldwide attention in 1997 when Al-Fayed welcomed Princess Diana on board, a year after her divorce from Prince Charles.
The yacht’s interesting history dates back to 1972 when it was built in Italy for businessman John von Neumann, who wanted to own the fastest yacht in the world. Powered by two 18-cylinder engines, Kujo claimed a remarkable top speed of 42 knots.
After passing through several owners, Kujo eventually found himself in the possession of Dodi al-Fayed. However, the car crash in central Paris on August 31, 1997, which claimed the lives of Princess Diana and Dodi al-Fayed, marked the beginning of Cujo’s final downfall.
The yacht suffered a period of neglect before being decommissioned in 1999 and was placed in storage for several years until new owners began repairs.
Today, as the once-iconic ship lies at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, memories of Princess Diana’s last summer aboard Cujo stir emotions and remind us of the enduring legacy she left behind.