CARNIVAL TRAGEDY

Cruise Ship Passenger Dies While Snorkeling in Australia

Another passenger on the trip jumped overboard, prompting a search and rescue operation.

A 67-year-old woman died while snorkeling off the coast of Queensland, Australia, last Friday. The woman was found unresponsive in the water near the Tangalooma Wrecks, a group of sunken ships near the shore of Moreton Island. Local officials said, “attempts were made to revive the woman, however, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.” Investigations into the circumstances of her death remain ongoing. The woman was a passenger on the Carnival Splendor, a Carnival cruise ship that began its four-day journey from Sydney on April 15. The cruise company said its care team is “supporting the guest’s family.” The Daily Beast reached out to the company for more details surrounding the death. Another passenger on the ship jumped overboard. A Carnival spokesperson said a man in his seventies “apparently climbed over the safety railing and jumped overboard” on Friday night, when the ship was traveling from Moreton Island to Sydney. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority told The Brisbane Times they undertook an “intensive air and sea search involving multiple assets.” The mission reportedly included five rescue helicopters and six surface vessels. After three days, authorities told People the search had been suspended.