close video Royal Caribbean passengers rush to shelter as heavy winds, rain slam ship
Passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship were slammed with a freak storm ahead of their departure, forcing them to rush for cover as deck furniture was blown into the air. (Jenn Stancil)
The FBI reportedly is investigating the death of a 12-year-old child who fell from a balcony onboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas cruise ship.
The incident happened Saturday night in the ship’s interior Central Park area as the ship was heading back to port in Galveston, Texas, according to the website Royal Caribbean Blog. The cruise line describes Central Park as "upscale exquisite public gathering place featuring serene pathways, seasonal flower gardens and canopy trees."
"We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our guests," Royal Caribbean said in a statement to media outlets. "Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share."
It’s unclear how the child fell, but the FBI told The Washington Post that it is investigating the matter along with the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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It’s unclear how the passenger fell from the balcony on the Harmony of the Seas on Saturday, Sept. 7. (Royal Caribbean)
Both the FBI and Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond Thursday to requests for comment from FOX Business.
The ship was wrapping up a 7-night cruise to the Western Caribbean – with stops in Honduras and Mexico – when the death happened. Ticker Security Last Change Change % RCL ROYAL CARIBBEAN GROUP 162.15 +3.85 +2.43%
Staff onboard the Harmony of the Seas tried to resuscitate the passenger following his fall, but their efforts were unsuccessful, Royal Caribbean Blog reports.
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People watch as the Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas cruise ship departs from Port Canaveral, Florida, in January 2022. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The Harmony of the Seas then returned to Texas the following day, with Royal Caribbean telling passengers on the ship’s next voyage that boarding would be delayed by one hour, the website adds.
"Due to an emergency on our previous sailing, our boarding tomorrow will be delayed," said a statement reportedly emailed to passengers, "As a result, the terminal will be closed until 12 PM."
Harmony of the Seas is based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and "spans 16 guest decks, encompasses 226,963 gross registered tons, carries 5,497 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,747 staterooms," according to the cruise line.
The Central Park area on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas cruise ship, where a 12-year-old is reported to have fallen from a balcony. (Royal Caribbean)
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In 2019, a 16-year-old male passenger died onboard the Harmony of the Seas while trying to enter his cabin through a nearby balcony, Royal Caribbean Blog also reports.