HomeUSTragic Balcony Fall on Carnival Cruise: FBI Launches High-Seas Investigation

Tragic Balcony Fall on Carnival Cruise: FBI Launches High-Seas Investigation

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A tragic incident unfolded on Monday morning when a passenger on a Carnival Cruise Line ship lost her life after seemingly falling from her room’s balcony as the vessel was navigating near Catalina Island.

The event took place aboard the Carnival Firenze, which was cruising off the Southern California coast. According to the cruise line, the woman fell from her stateroom balcony and landed on a deck below, as confirmed by Fox News Digital.

The woman was accompanied by her family on the trip, who promptly informed the ship’s crew of the accident, Carnival reported.

“In line with customary procedures for such occurrences, law enforcement boarded the ship at Catalina Island on Monday to gather information,” the company stated, noting that all relevant authorities have been notified.

Carnival Firenze ship cancels sailings

The unfortunate fall happened on the Carnival Firenze cruise ship. (iStock)

The family has since left the ship and returned home, according to Carnival.

“Carnival’s Care Team is supporting the guest’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones,” the company added.

The FBI confirmed to Fox News Digital that it is looking into the death.

“The FBI responded to the ship and is currently investigating the reported death,” the bureau’s Los Angeles field office said.

Carnival cruise ship sailing near Catalina Island

General views of the Carnival Radiance cruise ship at Avalon harbor on May 19, 2023 in Avalon, California, on Catalina Island. (Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

It remains unclear what caused the passenger to go over the balcony. Her identity has not been released.

Multiple cruise ships docked at port as authorities investigate recent cruise ship incidents

The Costa Firenze cruise ship, operated by Carnival Corp., left, and the Riviera cruise ship, operated by Golden Sun Cruises, docked at the port of Civitavecchia near Rome, Italy, on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021.  (Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“Carnival’s Care Team is supporting the guest’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones,” the company added.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told Fox News Digital that its Search and Rescue team from the Avalon Sheriff’s Station helped in recovering the passenger who died. The department directed further questions to the FBI.

The Carnival Splendor in Australia

The Carnival Splendor in Australia, near the Sydney Opera House. (Carnival Cruise Line)

It is the latest incident in a recent string of cruise tragedies.

Just last week, two separate emergencies turned deadly during a single voyage on the Carnival Splendor, with authorities indicating the incidents were unrelated.

In that case, a 67-year-old woman died while snorkeling off Australia’s Moreton Island during a shore excursion after she was found unresponsive in the water. Hours later, a separate passenger in his 70s reportedly climbed over the ship’s safety railing and went overboard, prompting an intensive search that was later suspended.

In a separate incident, two Carnival passengers also died in drowning cases at the company’s private Bahamas resort.

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