Crew member of Royal Caribbean allegedly stabs fellow worker and subsequently leaps overboard, as reported by the police.
Tragedy Aboard the Icon of the Seas: Crew Member Stabbing and Overboard Incident
A distressing event unfolded onboard Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas on July 24, 2025. A 35-year-old South African male crew member is reported to have stabbed a 28-year-old South African female colleague during a personal dispute. After the stabbing, the male crew member jumped overboard and was later found unresponsive during a search and rescue operation.
The incident occurred while the ship was en route to the Bahamas' CocoCay, as part of a seven-night cruise. The female crew member sustained stab wounds to her upper body and is now in stable condition. Royal Caribbean confirmed their onboard security team handled the incident and expressed condolences to the deceased’s family.
Passengers onboard reported an emergency response involving a man overboard alert and rescue efforts. One passenger shared a video on TikTok, showing crew members running to help the man who jumped overboard. In another clip, a man can be seen lying motionless on the rescue boat while the medical team members try to sit him up.
The investigation into the incident, including an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, is ongoing. No further details about the dispute or the relationship between the crew members have been released to protect privacy. The Royal Bahamian Police and possibly other authorities are investigating the cause of the stabbing and the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
It's worth noting that year over year, there has been a "significant decline" in both the number of overboard incidents and the number of fatalities. From 2009 to 2019, there were 212 people reported overboard, with 48 of those passengers successfully rescued. In another incident, a man jumped off a Disney cruise ship to save his daughter who had fallen overboard while the ship was returning to South Florida.
Royal Caribbean extended condolences to the crew member's family and loved ones but did not identify the crew members involved in the incident. The company commended their crew members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions in ensuring the safe return of both guests to the ship in similar situations.
[1] Royal Caribbean statement [2] Bahamian Police statement [3] TikTok video of rescue [4] TikTok video of passengers watching the rescue
- Despite the recent tragedy on the Icon of the Seas, it's appreciable that the number of overboard incidents and fatalities has significantly decreased over the years.
- The ongoing investigation into the crew member stabbing incident may involve not only the Royal Bahamian Police but also other authorities, as they scrutinize the cause of the stabbing and the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
- The distressing event onboard the Icon of the Seas was also recorded by a passenger, who shared a video on TikTok showing the immediate aftermath of the crew member who jumped overboard, as well as the emergency response and rescue attempts.
