A honeymoon in the Maldives turned perilous for newlyweds Caio Gomez and Fernanda Diniz when their cruise ship sank. They shared a life jacket, as did other passengers, while waiting for rescue following a wave’s impact. Fortunately, all 50 individuals were rescued safely, but the incident raised concerns about safety and communication procedures for tourists.
A couple’s honeymoon in the Maldives turned frightening when their cruise ship sank, forcing them to share a life jacket amidst a chaotic situation involving around 50 people. Doctor Caio Gomez and his wife, Fernanda Diniz, were transported from Dhigurah Island to Malé when the vessel began to take on water, just 40 minutes into their journey due to a powerful wave.
The newlyweds documented the distressing experience as they were instructed to don life jackets and enter the water. Gomez 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.”
However, the boat gradually shifted to the right, leading them to believe that water was seeping into the vessel. During the escape, both Gomez and Diniz encountered anxiety when their life vests failed to inflate. “We started swimming and found a loose life jacket,” Gomez shared, explaining how they floated together on it until rescuers arrived.
Stranded in the water for about 30 to 40 minutes, the couple later revealed they lost their passports during the incident and filed police reports to facilitate their return home. Passengers’ testimonies highlighted the chaos aboard, with Gao, a 27-year-old bystander, recalling how panic ensued, particularly among international tourists when the captain failed to provide adequate instructions.
Gao assisted fellow passengers with inflating their life jackets as the situation escalated, stating, “As I’m a diver, I helped them inflate their life jackets and made sure everyone stayed together.” Ultimately, the boat sank within five minutes after evacuation. Authorities swiftly dispatched rescue boats, though adverse weather conditions delayed assistance, resulting in nearly half an hour before all passengers were recovered.
Officials confirmed that all individuals aboard were returned safely to Dhigurah Island, and an investigation into the incident is currently underway as they assess the circumstances surrounding the evacuation.
In summary, the newlyweds’ honeymoon experience in the Maldives took a perilous turn when their boat sank, requiring them and other passengers to share life jackets and navigate rough waters. Fortunately, all individuals were rescued without injury, but the incident highlighted the need for improved safety measures and communication in emergencies. An investigation is ongoing to prevent future occurrences of such tragic events.
Original Source: www.irishstar.com
