Authorities are searching for a 32-year-old African American woman who reportedly jumped off of a Carnival cruise ship into the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday (February 15).
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Gabriel Wisdom said they were notified of an overboard passenger at 2:28 p.m.
The woman, whose name has not been released, was on a five-day cruise from New Orleans to Mexico on the Carnival Valor with her husband and other family members.
According to various reports, the woman was detained by security after an alleged disturbance at the hot pool.
A video has surfaced of security holding the woman by the arms as she yells for someone named “Alicia.”
The next clip shows concerned passengers gathering at the deck after the woman allegedly jumped from the cruise ship about 150 miles from SouthWest Pass, Louisiana.
Watch the video below.
Matt Lupoli, a spokesman for the south Florida-based Carnival Cruise Line said:
Carnival Valor is supporting the search for a guest who reportedly jumped overboard from her balcony on Wednesday afternoon while the ship was at sea.
The ship’s command immediately began search and rescue procedures, returned to the area near where the incident occurred, and notified the U.S. Coast Guard. Carnival’s CARE team is providing support to the guest’s husband, who was traveling with her, as well as her family.
Our thoughts are with our guest’s family.
Carnival has also said claims that the woman was handcuffed when she jumped are “unsubstantiated and untrue.”
The ship has since returned and docked in New Orleans as the search for the woman continues.
Watch the news report below.
Source: AP News
