Australian cruise passenger dies during excursion
An Australian cruise ship passenger has died while swimming near an island in the Philippines.
The 71-year-old man went into the water surrounding Boracay Island after disembarking the MS Noordam Cruise Ship on Wednesday morning, and was reportedly struggling to stay afloat.
He was later heard calling for help before he was pulled from the water unresponsive.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene and attempted to save the man but he was pronounced dead at Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital in Borocay.
Malay MPS Chief of operations Lieutenant Joerelyn Requintin told Panay News the man was swimming with a group of people as part of an off-boat excursion.
“After disembarking from the cruise ship with other passengers, they swam near the Cagban Jetty Port, about 10 meters from the shore,” Requintin said.
Requintin told Panay News the cause of death was respiratory failure secondary to drowning.
Just hours before the tragedy, Malay’s local government had posted on Facebook about the arrival of the ship, writing, “The arrival of MS Noordam of Holland America Line (maiden call) in Boracay Island today, November 6, 2024.”
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