Newlyweds Endure Ordeal as Cruise Ship Sinks During Maldives Honeymoon
During a honeymoon cruise in the Maldives, a couple was forced to share a life jacket when their boat sank. Despite initial calmness, panic ensued among passengers, and rescue efforts took around 30 to 40 minutes. Fortunately, all individuals were returned safely, and an investigation is ongoing.
Earlier this month, during their honeymoon, a newlywed couple faced a terrifying ordeal when their cruise boat sank in the Maldives, stranding 50 individuals. Dr. Caio Gomez and his wife, Fernanda Diniz, were en route to Malé from Dhigurah Island when the incident occurred. The couple reported sharing a life jacket until rescuers arrived in the rough waters, capturing the harrowing experience on video.
According to Dr. Gomez, the boat began to sink after encountering a large wave just 40 minutes into the voyage. He recounted, “When we hit that wave, a really big wave came into the boat, but it didn’t sink us right away. After that, we kept sailing for about 20 minutes.” Eventually, the vessel started tilting to one side due to water ingress, and passengers were instructed to don life jackets and jump into the sea.
Dr. Gomez noted that, although the exit from the boat was calm and orderly, they faced anxiety when their life jackets did not inflate. “When we got out of the boat, we started swimming and found a loose life jacket,” he explained. After holding onto the life jacket, the couple managed to stay afloat until help arrived.
The passengers were stranded for approximately 30 to 40 minutes before being rescued by another vessel. Remarkably, no lives were lost during the incident; however, Gomez reported that they lost their passports in the process, leading them to file police reports before they could continue their travels.
Contrulary to the couple’s calm exit, various videos from other passengers depicted chaos, with individuals panicking and screaming as the boat sank rapidly. Gao, a 27-year-old passenger, stated there was a lack of instructions from the captain, which exacerbated the situation. He mentioned, “Everyone was actually very panicked, especially some foreign tourists,” and described how he aided others in inflating their life jackets before the vessel sank in minutes. Despite swift rescue efforts, adverse weather conditions complicated the operation.
Authorities confirmed that all individuals, both passengers and crew, were safely returned to Dhigurah Island and are in good health. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
In summary, the new couple’s honeymoon turned into a distressing experience when their boat sank in the Maldives, leaving them and 48 others stranded. They managed to document their experience while sharing a life jacket until rescue arrived. Although no lives were lost, several passengers faced panic during the ordeal, prompting discussions about safety measures during such excursions. An investigation continues as authorities assess the circumstances surrounding the sinking.
Original Source: www.irishstar.com
