A search operation is underway to find a cruise ship passenger who is believed to have gone overboard after "jumping from a balcony".
The 26-year-old man is believed to have fallen in the Gulf of Mexico, near the port of Galveston in Texas, from a Carnival Cruise ship.
US Coast Guards launched a search on Friday morning and a spokeswoman told the Sun they were preparing to launch a search-and-rescue mission.
More than 10 of its crew members will take part in the search.
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The search also includes a helicopter, a fixed-wing aircraft manned by divers and rescue equipment, including a hoist to lift a person out of the water.
Cruise operator Carnival Corp said the ship, Carnival Dream, started a four-day cruise from Galveston on Thursday.
In a statement, the operator said: “Based on camera footage, it appears the guest jumped from his stateroom balcony."
According to internet cruise tracking site Ship Technology the ship can accommodate more than 3,600 passengers in more than 1,800 cabins. It has 14 decks.
The ship immediately returned to the area where the man is believed to have fallen to launch the serach.
Staff members are supporting the missing man's family.
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