A man sustained injuries after using a defective waterslide on the Icon of the Seas.
This Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the largest globally, boasts a maximum capacity of 7,600 passengers.
Although the ship began its voyages in January 2024, it has already been embroiled in several controversies, including a fatal incident.
In May 2024, a passenger died after leaping over 80 feet from the vast ship while it was approximately 300 miles from Port Miami.
Regarding the unfortunate event, Royal Caribbean informed The New York Post: “The ship’s crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort alongside the US Coast Guard, who have taken over the search.
“Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share.”
Recently, another incident occurred where a man reportedly suffered injuries after experiencing a defective waterslide.
The passenger was on the Icon of Seas’ Frightening Bolt slide on August 7 when a part of the slide fractured, resulting in a sharp edge. He sustained cuts to his back and legs, as reported by The Telegraph.
Royal Caribbean confirmed that the injured party was an adult male.
A spokesperson told Fox 59: “Our team provided medical care to an adult guest when acrylic glass broke off a water slide as the guest passed through the slide. The guest is being treated for his injuries.
“The water slide is closed for the remainder of the sailing pending an investigation.”
Other passengers captured footage of the compromised slide, showing water pouring from the visible crack.
A person who recorded the aftermath of the incident exclaimed ‘Oh my god’ while other passengers urged those at the top of the slide to stop using it.
“Stop the slide!” they yelled.
In another video, an Icon of the Seas traveler noted that the slide was on the 16th floor of the ship. Zooming in, the damage to the slide was evident, with a large hole visible.
Additional footage showed cruise staff covering the damaged slide with a tarp.
UNILAD has reached out to Royal Caribbean for further comments on the situation.