12-year-old boy dies after falling over balcony on cruise headed for Texas

WorldTravel
12 Sep 2024 • 2:19 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

A 12-year-old boy has died after falling off a balcony while on board a Royal Caribbean cruise.

The young boy fell to his death on September 7 while on board the Harmony of the Seas as it sailed toward Galveston, Texas at the end of a week-long trip. He fell off a balcony on Deck 8, known as the “Central Park” area of the ship where there are many restaurants and stores, PEOPLE reports.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our guests,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said in a statement. “Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time.

“For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share,” the spokesperson added.

The boy has not been identified, and it is not yet clear what caused him to fall off the balcony.

image is not available

“Since the man has been in the sea for over 40 hours, we are already losing hope,” Sanjin Dumanic, president of the Association of Croatian Sea Captains, said at the time.

“We would all like him to be found, but 40 hours is a very long time, and we are losing hope that this search will end successfully”.

The man reportedly jumped from the Icon of the Seas after it left a Florida port. He was rescued from the water and brought back on board before succumbing to his injuries.

The cruise company also issued a statement declining to provide details on his identity.