A MAN has fallen from a cruise ship in the Caribbean despite the frantic efforts by other passengers to save him.
The 35-year-old from Brazil is still missing today as the US Coast Guard combs the area using a long-range aircraft and a helicopter, reported Yahoo.
He was a passenger on the Oasis of the Seas cruise ship, which is operated by Royal Caribbean cruises.
The man can be heard yelling, “Let go of me! You don’t touch me!”
A number of traumatised passengers, who can be heard wailing, watched as he continued talking to someone on board, “Because of you, this happened. ... I’m not going anywhere. ... Let go of me! Get off of me!”
The video shows people trying to pull him in before the man, who can’t hold on any longer, lets go and falls from view into the Atlantic Ocean. “Get the life ring and throw it over,” one woman can be heard calling out.
The incident happened 27km east of Turks and Caicos, reported the Sun Sentinel.
“Our report was that he jumped onto the lifeboat and subsequently fell into the water,” said a USCG representative, “but regardless of how he fell into the water, we’re working right now on just finding him.”
He fell from the seventh deck of the ship.
A passenger recorded the captain’s message to the other on-board about the incident on Periscope.
“It is very tragic, especially for the next-of-kin person on board still. Also [for] a crew that was dealing directly with the person that was holding him, trying desperately to save him and he just slipped out of their hands,” the captain said.
Seven feet swells, rain and poor visibility have hampered search efforts.
A statement from Royal Caribbean confirmed the incident and said the man “intentionally” went over the side of the ship.
“He was spotted by Oasis of the Seas crew members intentionally going over the side of the ship. A Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched and is currently assisting us with the search,” spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez said.
“Our Care Team is providing support to the guest’s family and our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.:
The man’s partner is thought to have been on board.
The Oasis of the Seas is one of the world’s largest cruise ships and is currently on a week-long cruise in the Caribbean.
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