An elderly individual was believed to have leaped overboard from a cruise ship and is presumed deceased, following the death of another passenger from the same vessel.
The incident occurred on the Carnival Splendor cruise ship off the coast of Brisbane, Australia. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) conducted a search and rescue operation, but unfortunately, the man could not be located, leading to the assumption of his death.
The ship’s alert system notified of a ‘man overboard’ situation at 1.44 am, with tracking data indicating a change in course around 1.55 am. Family members of the missing passenger reportedly informed the crew about his absence.
According to Carnival, CCTV footage revealed that the man had climbed over the safety railing and jumped overboard. The search and rescue efforts lasted approximately 16 hours before being halted at 5.30 pm.
An AMSA spokesperson stated that despite an extensive search involving various assets, the missing individual was not found, prompting the release of all resources from the operation.
The cruise ship was en route from Moreton Island to Sydney at the time of the incident. Carnival Cruise informed authorities promptly and pledged cooperation in the investigation upon the ship’s return to Sydney. The Carnival Care Team is providing support to the family of the guest involved.
This incident follows the tragic death of another passenger from the same ship during a snorkeling excursion. A 67-year-old woman from Tasmania was discovered unconscious in the water on a Friday morning.
The Carnival Splendor has a capacity for up to 3000 passengers and 1150 crew members, with a length of 952 feet. It operates in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific region.
