The Tribune

A 10-year-old girl has drowned in a swimming pool aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship on a scheduled seven-day cruise from New York to Florida and The Bahamas.

A US Coast Guard official said that the girl drowned on Sunday afternoon aboard the Norwegian Gem while it was in Atlantic waters 75 miles east of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He said ship’s officials reported the death to the Coast Guard and that the vessel then sailed to Port Canaveral, Florida, arriving around noon on Monday. He did not identify the child or give further details of circumstances surrounding the death.

The cruise line confirmed the death of a 10-year-old girl in a statement. “We are extremely saddened to have learned that a guest passed away on Sunday aboard the Norwegian Gem,” said the statement from the Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Lines. “On Sunday afternoon, the ship’s medical team responded to an emergency call from the pool deck, as a ten-year-old female guest was reported unresponsive. The team quickly administered CPR and full emergency care. After extensive efforts, the guest could not be revived.”

While the statement did not elaborate on what happened the cruise line extended its deepest sympathies. “Norwegian’s care team is providing full assistance and support to the family,” the statement added.