Shocked passengers recorded the moment that “man overboard” warnings sounded across a luxury liner as a teenager jumped – apparently deliberately – into the sea.
The brand-new 20-deck MSC Seashore was on the final stage of a five-day Caribbean cruise when the fifteen-year-old threw himself overboard.
Falling from the 16th deck on the ship’s port side, he reportedly bounced off the superstructure around halfway down before hitting the waters below.
The captain immediately ordered the “man overboard” alarm to be sounded and the engines to be stopped.
Vessels of that size can take quite some time to come to a full stop and as yet, the boy’s body has not been recovered.
A statement from Swiss-Italian operating company MSC said: “A young man traveling with his family on board MSC Seashore appears to have died of suicide Wednesday evening.
“Our team immediately notified authorities and our care team is assisting the young man’s family on board.
“All of us at MSC Cruises are heartbroken. The family remains in our thoughts and prayers.”
The alarm was sounded just after 7:30pm on Wednesday, December 22.
One passenger, who had been recording a video souvenir of her trip when the incident occurred, carried on filming as the drama unfolded.
She can be heard shouting “man overboard” as confused passengers try to understand what is happening, and start speculating on how long it will take the liner to come to a stop and turn about.
Clearly overcome, she cries “Oh my god, oh my god,” and pleads for the ship to be stopped.
“It would probably take some time, but I don’t know what they’re gonna do,” she adds.
“If they’re gonna send a lifeboat out for a search. I just feel like we’re still moving. It just feels so wrong. It still feels like we’re still going forward.”
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TikTok user @AustinHamaway, who was aboard the ship at the time, said he had been told by a crew member that the boy “didn’t make it” after his tragic fall.
Another cruise passenger told specialist cruise blog CrewCenter that a crew member had come to their cabin and told them to close the balcony door and draw the blinds.
Eventually, passengers were told that there was “no reason to be concerned,” and that the ship would be carrying on to its final destination in Miami, where a full investigation would take place.
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.