A passenger in his 70s has gone missing after reportedly going overboard from the Carnival Splendor late Friday night or early Saturday morning during a four-day cruise scheduled to return to Sydney, Australia, on Sunday. Tracking data indicates that the ship, which can accommodate 3,000 passengers, is conducting a zigzag search pattern in the area while the search for the missing individual continues.
Family members traveling with the man alerted the ship’s crew around 2:00 AM when they noticed he was missing. CCTV footage reviewed by the crew confirmed that the man had climbed over the safety railing and jumped into the water. The incident occurred approximately 18 miles northeast of Moreton Island. In a statement, a Carnival Cruise Line representative confirmed that authorities have been notified and that the company will assist in the investigation upon the ship’s return to Sydney.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is spearheading a large-scale search and rescue operation, deploying resources such as Challenger jets, rescue helicopters, and surface vessels, with support from Queensland Police. Passengers onboard have reported seeing helicopters conducting searches nearby as the ship remains in the vicinity. While man-overboard incidents are uncommon on modern cruise ships, crews follow strict protocols to recover individuals quickly. As of now, the search is ongoing, and no updates regarding the passenger’s status have been provided.
