Couple’s Honeymoon Turns Into Harrowing Ordeal Aboard Sinking Cruise Ship

A newlywed couple faced a terrifying situation when their cruise ship sank during their Maldives honeymoon, forcing them to share a life jacket while stranded with 50 other passengers. They endured a tense rescue wait amid panic and challenging conditions but ultimately survived without injuries. An investigation is now in progress to assess the incident further.

A honeymoon experience transformed into a terrifying ordeal when newlyweds Doctor Caio Gomez and Fernanda Diniz were stranded alongside 50 others after their cruise ship sank in the Maldives. The couple was traveling from Dhigurah Island to the capital, Malé, when their boat began to sink shortly after departing. They were compelled to share a life jacket while awaiting rescue in the uncertain waters.

Doctor Gomez recounted that their journey took a dangerous turn approximately 40 minutes in, when a large wave hit the boat. “When we hit that wave, a really big wave came into the boat, but it didn’t sink us right away,” he mentioned, adding that the boat began listing to one side and eventually took on water after suffering damage to its gutter.

As the situation escalated, Gomez and his fellow passengers remained calm despite being instructed to don life jackets and enter the water without initially realizing the boat was sinking. “The exit from the boat was peaceful; no one was too scared, and no one was hurt,” he stated, underscoring the level of composure maintained during the incident.

Despite their initial calm, both Gomez and Diniz experienced a moment of panic when their life vests failed to inflate. After entering the water, they located a loose life jacket which enabled them to stay afloat. Gomez later recounted the tense wait, stating that it took about 30 to 40 minutes for their rescue by another vessel. Luckily, they escaped the incident without injury, although they did lose their passports.

Other eyewitness accounts painted a contrasting picture of chaos on board. Gao, a diver present during the sinking, observed widespread panic among passengers; some even jumped overboard in a desperate attempt to escape. “The captain did not give any instructions,” Gao noted, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. He assisted passengers in inflating their life vests as the airline sank rapidly after evacuation.

Rescue operations commenced swiftly, but inclement weather hampered timely efforts. Fortunately, police confirmed that all passengers and crew were safely returned to Dhigurah Island in good health. An investigation into the incident is currently under way to determine its underlying causes.

This alarming incident underscores the risks associated with maritime travel, highlighting the importance of safety protocols and adequate emergency instructions during such excursions. The experiences of Doctor Gomez and Fernanda Diniz, along with other passengers, illustrate both the moments of panic and the resilience displayed during emergencies. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, and the passengers received necessary support following their ordeal.

Original Source: www.irishstar.com