Crew member of Royal Caribbean fatally stabs coworker, subsequently leaps overboard and perishes
Tragedy struck on the Icon of the Seas cruise ship off the coast of San Salvador Island in the Bahamas on July 24, 2025. A 35-year-old South African crew member allegedly stabbed a 28-year-old South African female crew member multiple times in what has been described as a "personal dispute".
The incident took place shortly before 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night. After the stabbing, the male crew member fled the scene by jumping overboard. A search and rescue operation was immediately launched, but unfortunately, he was later found unresponsive and was pronounced dead by onboard medical staff.
The female victim was treated for her injuries and is currently in stable condition. An autopsy is planned to determine the exact cause of the male crew member's death, and the investigation continues.
Royal Caribbean has expressed their condolences but has not released further details out of respect for privacy. The identities of the crew members involved in the incident have not been disclosed. The spokesperson confirmed that the incident did not involve any passengers on the ship.
It's important to note that this incident is not related to the Middle East Conflict. The ship was in the waters off the coast of San Salvador Island in the Bahamas at the time of the incident, but the specific location within the ship was not specified.
Royal Caribbean has assured passengers that their safety remains their top priority and has implemented additional security measures as a precaution. They are working closely with local authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
[1] Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirms crew member stabbing on Icon of the Seas. (2025, July 25). ABC News. Retrieved from https://www.abc.com/news/world/icon-of-the-seas-crew-member-stabbing/
[2] Crew member dies after stabbing incident on Icon of the Seas. (2025, July 25). CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/world/icon-of-the-seas-crew-member-stabbing/
[4] Royal Caribbean offers no further details about crew member stabbing on Icon of the Seas. (2025, July 26). BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-icon-of-the-seas-crew-member-stabbing
- 'General-news' sources reported an unprovoked assault in the 'workplace-wellness' environment of the Icon of the Seas cruise ship, where a 35-year-old South African crew member allegedly stabbed a fellow crew member, leading to the crew member's death and the female victim's injuries.
- 'Health-and-wellness' updates revealed that the female victim was undergoing treatment and is currently in stable condition, while the 'crime-and-justice' sector is awaiting the results of an autopsy to establish the exact cause of the male crew member's death, with the investigation still ongoing.
- Palace officials acknowledge the incident as an isolated 'accident' that did not involve any passengers, and assure the public that the crisis management team is implementing additional security measures to bolster 'science'-based safety protocols on the Icon of the Seas ship, as they cooperate with local authorities to decipher the dynamic of the tragic event.
