A woman fell to her death from a balcony and landed on a passenger on the lower deck of a Virgin Voyages cruise ship.
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The six-day cruise from Miami to Honduras was scheduled to sail at 6 pm on Sunday. According to officials, the woman fell to her death from her balcony and landed on another passenger, but the passenger didn’t sustain any serious injuries. After the fall, medics attempted to revive her but it was unsuccessful due to the severity of her injuries. Virgin Voyages also released a statement but didn’t disclose the woman’s name, age, or the circumstances that possibly caused the fall, as reported by Cruise Hive.
“This passenger went over their balcony to a lower deck, and despite receiving immediate medical attention, has passed away,” the company said in a statement. Witnesses said emergency personnel quickly set up tents and caution tape where the fall happened.
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The Valiant Lady returned to Miami hours after leaving from PortMiami to allow the deceased passenger to be transported off of the board and for the scene to be observed by police officers.
After officers investigated the scene, the ship set sail for Conzumel as its itinerary listed visits to Rotan, Honduras; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Bimini, The Bahamas, and two days at sea.
Although incidents are rare on these vessels, here are some examples of cruise ship incidents:
- Ship collisions: Cruise ships have been involved in collisions with other vessels, such as cargo ships, fishing boats, or even other cruise ships. These incidents can result in damage to the ships, injuries to passengers and crew, and even fatalities.
- Groundings: Cruise ships can run aground, which occurs when a ship gets stuck on underwater rocks or reefs. Groundings can cause damage to the ship’s hull and propulsion systems, and may require evacuation of passengers and crew.
- Fires: Fires can break out on cruise ships, which can be caused by various reasons such as engine room fires, galley fires, or even onboard passenger cabins. Fires can result in damage to the ship, injuries, and potential evacuations.
- Illness outbreaks: Cruise ships are known for being susceptible to outbreaks of illnesses due to the close proximity of passengers and crew. Common outbreaks include norovirus, which causes gastrointestinal illness, and other respiratory illnesses. These outbreaks can result in widespread illness among passengers and crew, leading to quarantines, cancellations, and changes to itineraries.
- Mechanical failures: Cruise ships can experience mechanical failures in their propulsion systems, electrical systems, or other critical systems. These failures can result in delays, cancellations, or disruptions to cruise itineraries, and may require repairs in port or even towage.
- Environmental concerns: Cruise ships have faced criticism for their impact on the environment, such as pollution from waste discharge, air emissions, and other environmental concerns. Incidents related to environmental concerns can result in fines, penalties, and reputational damage for cruise lines.
- Accidents and injuries: Cruise ship passengers and crew can be involved in accidents, such as slips and falls, drowning incidents, or other injuries onboard or during shore excursions. These incidents can result in injuries, medical emergencies, and even fatalities.
It’s important to note that cruise ship incidents are relatively rare compared to the millions of passengers who safely cruise each year. However, they do happen, and cruise lines have strict safety protocols and regulations in place to mitigate the risks and ensure the safety of their passengers and crew. In case of any cruise ship incident, it’s always important to follow the instructions of the ship’s crew and authorities, and to stay informed about the situation.