Two passengers from Carnival Cruise Line have died in separate drowning accidents at a private resort in the Bahamas.
According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), the first incident happened shortly before noon on Friday, Aug. 15, at Celebration Key. A 79-year-old American man was snorkeling at the beach when he became unresponsive. A lifeguard pulled him from the water and performed CPR, but doctors later pronounced him dead.
Just hours later, around 2:30 p.m., police were called to another emergency involving a 74-year-old American woman. She had become unresponsive while swimming in a pool on a separate cruise ship. CPR was performed, but she also died, according to the RBPF.
The two travelers were visiting Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island, each aboard different Carnival Cruise ships.
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Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, “Our lifeguards and medical team responded to two separate water emergency incidents at Celebration Key on Friday — one in the lagoon and one at the beach. Sadly, both guests have passed away. One guest was sailing with family on Mardi Gras and one guest was sailing with family on Carnival Elation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families and our Care Team is providing assistance.”
Autopsies will be conducted to determine the official causes of death, police said. The investigations remain ongoing.
Celebration Key, which is owned by Carnival Cruise Line, officially opened on July 19 after a $600 million investment, according to the New York Post. The 68-acre private destination features freshwater lagoons, pools, bars, restaurants, a beach club, water slides, and entertainment for both adults and children.
