Search operation launched after a young man, `jumped off` cruise ship in front of family

It was a nightmare for passengers aboard cruise Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas when a young man jumped overboard. The ship was sailing between Cuba and the Bahamas' Grand Inagua Island when the 20-year-old jumped from one of the decks.

As per eyewitnesses, the father and brother looked on in dismay as he made the impulsive decision to jump over the side.

Some passengers said it appeared to be an impulsive, spur-of-the-moment decision.

According to The Post, eyewitness Bryan Sims said, "I had been hanging out with him and his brother in the hot tub until 3:30, and was crowded. He sat right beside me the whole time."

"He was quite drunk," Sims continued, "As we were heading back from the hot tub to the elevators, his father and brother was walking towards us. His father seemed to be scolding him for being drunk, I assume."

"When we reached near them, he told his father, 'I'll fix this right now.' And he jumped out the window."

"The crew was immediately alerted as there was lot of yelling and commotion," another passenger, Deborah Morrison, told the reporters. "His family was distraught, completely devastated,” he further added.

Royal Caribbean in its statement confirmed that its crew promptly responded to the incident.

"The ship's crew initiated a search and rescue operation immediately alongside the US Coast Guard, who has assumed control of the search. Our team is providing support and assistance to the guest's family during this hard time. We have no further details to share, " the statement read.

News of the apparent suicide attempt spread quickly among passengers, prompting many to offer assistance in any way possible.

According to the Washington Post, between 2000 and 2020, approximately 386 individuals were reported to have gone overboard on major cruise lines. These incidents, whether accidental or deliberate, are often deadly.

The Coast Guard confirmed that a search and rescue operation is ongoing in the waters off Cuba. As of now, the individual has not been located.

(With inputs from agencies)