A man has died after jumping from the largest cruise ship in the world.
The man had been in the first night of a seven-day voyage on Royal Caribbean's new vessel Icon of the Seas.
Lifeboats were dispatched from Icon of the Seas, and while rescuers were able to bring the man back on board he was later pronounced dead.
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The ship stopped for around two hours while the 2,350-strong crew mounted a search and rescue mission for the missing passenger.
The ship had been around 300 miles away from Port Miami when the tragic incident unfolded.
A spokesperson for the US Coast released a statement, telling the New York Post: “The cruise ship deployed one of their rescue boats, located the man and brought him back aboard.
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“He was pronounced deceased. Beyond assisting in the search, the US Coast Guard did not have much involvement in this incident."
The man, who has not been identified, jumped more than 80 feet from the ship.
Other passengers posted on social media as the ship halted its progress and the lifeboats were scrambled to begin the search and rescue.
One person wrote: "Absolutely terrible, kinda freaked out when I heard the announcement"
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A second documented the reaction, writing: "I was up for 5mins when the Captain announced someone went over. Everyone rushed to their balconies to look."
A third wrote: "On Icon of the Seas right now. Someone jumped/fell overboard and now a Search & Rescue is taking place. Low chance they’ll be found. Hold your loved ones close, guys."
Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, measuring an enormous 1,200 feet long.
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Royal Caribbean told the New York Post: "The ship’s crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort alongside the US Coast Guard, who has taken over the search.
“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.”
UNILAD has reached out to Royal Caribbean and the US Coast Guard for further comment.
Topics: News, US News, Cruise ship, Royal Caribbean, Health
Kit Roberts