Two US nationals in their 70s apparently drowned in two separate incidents on Friday at a new resort in the Bahamas, according to officials.
The deaths happened at Celebration Key, a $600m private destination created for Carnival Cruise Line passengers that launched in July about 100 miles (160km) off the coast of Florida.
“Our lifeguards and medical team responded to two separate emergency incidents at Celebration Key on Friday,” one of which was in a lagoon and the other of which was on a beach, Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement reported by ABC News. “Sadly, both guests have passed away.”
Authorities reported that the first death occurred shortly before noon. A 79-year-old man snorkeling off the beach was discovered unresponsive.
A lifeguard pulled him to shore and tried resuscitation efforts, but he was later declared dead by medical doctors, according to a police statement.
The second drowning happened roughly two and a half hours later. A 74-year-old woman was found unconscious while swimming in a pool.
A lifeguard performed CPR after removing her from the water, and she, too, was pronounced dead.
Police said autopsies would be conducted to determine the pair’s exact causes of death, with investigations still ongoing into both. The victims’ names have not been released.
Carnival confirmed to Nexstar that the two guests had been traveling separately with their families onboard different ships: the Carnival Mardi Gras, which departs from Port Canaveral in Orlando; and the Carnival Elation, which sails from Jacksonville.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families, and our care team is providing assistance,” the statement from the cruise line said.
The company said it was working with law enforcement as the investigation proceeds.
Besides beaches and lagoons, Celebration Key’s various zones include pools, a swing bar and retail areas. Carnival projects about 2 million visitors will pass through annually, with that number expected to double by 2028.
