A 28-year-old South African woman is recovering in a Miami hospital after a fellow crew member, also South African, stabbed her multiple times before he jumped overboard from the world’s largest cruise ship on July 24.
The pair — said to be in a relationship — was working aboard the Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas in the waters off San Salvador.
Royal Bahamas Police Force said according to the initial information reported to the police in the Berry Islands, the woman was allegedly stabbed multiple times by another crew member, a 35-year-old South African male, shortly before 7.30pm.
“Following the incident, the male reportedly fled from the scene and jumped into the water. He was retrieved unresponsive and pronounced dead by on-board medical staff. The female victim sustained stab wounds to her upper body and was treated and is in a stable condition.”
“An autopsy is scheduled to assist in determining the exact cause of death as the investigation continues into this matter,” police said.
Video footage captured by cruise passengers showed the unresponsive man in the lifeboat, being brought back to the ship. Medical crew was seen trying to resuscitate the man before a blanket was used to cover his body.
Royal Caribbean confirmed the incident in a statement but did not release the identities of the crew members or their relationship.
“Our on-board security team responded to an incident involving two crew members in a personal dispute. One of the crew members was injured, was attended to by the on-board medical team, and she is now in a stable condition.”
“Unfortunately, the other crew member is deceased after he went overboard and was recovered in a search and rescue operation. We extend our condolences to the crew member’s family and loved ones. To respect their privacy, we have no additional details to share.”
The Icon of the Seas was making its way back from the Bahamas to Miami when the incident occurred. The ship departed Miami on July 19 and then made stops in St. Marteen, the US Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas, before returning to Florida.
The cruise industry is still reeling from the murder of Paige Bell on a yacht in the Bahamas earlier this month. Bell, a former Hillcrest High School pupil, was killed aboard Far from It, which costs R3.5m a week to charter, on July 3 just days before her 21st birthday.
According to global superyacht authority BOAT International, police arrested a fellow crew member, Mexican engineer Brigido Munoz, 39, who was found with severe injuries to his arms, near Bell’s body.
She was partially undressed, with her throat slashed and defensive wounds on her body. Police are investigating a case of murder and attempted suicide.
A memorial service hosted by Bell’s heartbroken parents, John and Michelle Bell, will take place at the Open Skies Church in Kloof, followed by a reception at the Kloof Country Club on Thursday.
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