Royal Caribbean crew member stabs co-worker and then jumps overboard during incident on ship.
A tragic incident aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas resulted in the death of a crew member on Thursday night, following a personal dispute that escalated to violence. Officials from the Royal Bahamas Police Force reported that before taking a fatal leap from the ship into the ocean, a 35-year-old male crew member stabbed a 28-year-old female co-worker multiple times during an altercation. The confrontation transpired while the cruise ship was navigating the waters near San Salvador Island.
According to a police statement, the stabbing occurred shortly before 7:30 PM. The female crew member sustained stab wounds to her upper body and received immediate medical attention. She is currently reported to be in stable condition following treatment.
The male suspect fled the scene after the incident, subsequently jumping overboard. His body was later retrieved from the water, but he was found unresponsive and was pronounced dead by onboard medical personnel. The circumstances surrounding his decision to jump into the ocean remain under investigation.
Footage from CBS News Miami captured moments of chaos as crew members rushed to assist their colleague following the stabbing. Royal Caribbean representatives confirmed that their onboard security team responded to the incident, emphasizing that it involved a personal dispute between the two crew members. The identity of the individuals involved was not disclosed.
The Icon of the Seas, recognized as the world’s largest cruise ship, boasts a length of nearly 1,200 feet and a capacity of approximately 10,000 passengers. At the time of the incident, the vessel was engaged in a week-long Eastern Caribbean cruise.
Despite the grave events, the cruise continued its itinerary, returning to Miami as scheduled early Saturday morning. Information from the ship-tracking platform Cruise Mapper indicated that the ship arrived in Miami around 6 AM.
Royal Caribbean is conducting an internal review of the incident while authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the altercation and subsequent fatalities. The incident raises pertinent questions regarding crew member safety and protocols aboard large cruise ships, underscoring the importance of addressing interpersonal conflicts promptly in such high-density environments.
As inquiries proceed, the cruise industry is reminded of the need to prioritize safety and mental health support for crew members who often work in high-pressure situations.
