MJP –
A 12-year-old boy has died after falling from the balcony of a cruise ship.
The pre-teen was aboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas — which was en route to Galveston, Texas at the end of a week-long cruise — when the incident happened on Saturday, Sept. 7.
A Royal Caribbean spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement, “We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our guests. 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.”
PEOPLE has confirmed that the boy fell at the ‘Central Park’ area of the ship, located on deck 8, where many of the vessel’s bars, restaurants, and shops live. He sadly died before the vessel docked in Texas.
The news comes after a 16-year-old boy also fell to his death on the ship back in 2019.
According to multiple outlets, the teenager fell while attempting to climb into his room from the balcony.
SEE MORE –
Hit Double Crime! Man Arrested After Allegedly Brandishing Knife Following Phone Theft
At the time, Royal Caribbean corporate communications manager, Owen Torres, confirmed the death in a statement to PEOPLE. “We are saddened by the loss of one of our guests in a tragic accident,” the statement read.
The Broward Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement at the time that the boy was on the eighth floor of Harmony of the Seas when he attempted to climb into his room because he forgot his room key.
According to a press release from Royal Caribbean, Harmony of the Seas was the world’s largest cruise liner when it launched in 2016. She departed on her maiden voyage in November 2016 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The vessel has 16 guest decks, 2,747 staterooms and can carry over 5,000 guests.
Juniper Calloway is a dedicated journalist with 3 years of experience in covering hard-hitting stories. Known for her commitment to delivering timely and accurate updates, she currently works with MikeandJon Podcast, where she focuses on reporting critical topics such as crime, local news, and national developments across the United States. Her ability to break down complex issues and keep audiences informed has established her as a trusted voice in journalism.