The tragic events unfolded at Celebration Key less than a month after the £450 million Grand Bahama Island resort welcomed its first guests
Two holidaymakers tragically drowned in separate incidents at Carnival Cruise Line’s new Bahamas resort just hours apart.
The tragic events unfolded at Celebration Key less than a month after the £450 million Grand Bahama Island resort welcomed its first guests.
The initial incident involved two American tourists, including a 79-year-old man, who became unresponsive while snorkelling at the beach around 1:00 pm.
Despite immediate rescue attempts and CPR performed by on-site lifeguards, he was declared dead shortly after. Later that afternoon, around 2:30 pm, a 74-year-old woman was discovered unresponsive in one of the resort’s freshwater lagoons.
Despite medical efforts to revive her, she too was sadly pronounced dead. Both victims were passengers on different Carnival ships: the Mardi Gras, which had set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, and the Carnival Elation, which had embarked from Jacksonville, Florida. It comes as two cruise ship tourists died at sea in Greece after strong winds battered a holiday hotspot.
READ MORE: Teen heartbreakingly unrecognisable after pack of dogs tore flesh from entire bodyREAD MORE: British tourist caught stealing stones from holiday hotspot faces huge fine
The Royal Bahamas Police Force has launched investigations into both incidents, with autopsies pending to ascertain the precise causes of death.
Carnival Cruise Line has expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families of those who died and is providing assistance through its Care Team. The firm has confirmed that lifeguards and medical personnel responded swiftly to both incidents.
A spokesperson said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families.”
Celebration Key, which officially opened on July 19, is an exclusive getaway for Carnival guests.
The resort is a tropical haven boasting countless attractions, including the planet’s biggest freshwater lagoon, dubbed Starfish Lagoon, and a massive 11,000-square-foot infinity pool at the Pearl Cove Beach Club.
It also has the Calypso Lagoon, an adults-only sanctuary featuring the globe’s largest swim-up bar, plus activities such as paddleboarding and diverse dining options.
The destination, which can accommodate two vessels simultaneously, expects to receive at least one ship daily throughout the next year.
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy had previously hailed Celebration Key as a groundbreaking accomplishment, highlighting its position as a premier seaside destination for holidaymakers seeking both relaxation and adventure.
It comes as a holidaymaker was airlifted to a US hospital on Sunday after he was savagely attacked by a shark while spearfishing in the Bahamas, according to authorities.
The 63-year-old tourist from America was attacked shortly after 1pm local time near Big Grand Cay on the island of Abaco, as per a statement shared on the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Facebook page. The man sustained serious injuries and was initially taken to a local clinic before being airlifted.