What Happened on the Carnival Cruise Ship?

By Anna Duncan

On October 1, 2020, the Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Liberty, an 893-foot cruise ship, was rocked by an explosion. The cause of the explosion is still unknown and under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The cruise ship was en route from Tampa, Florida to Key West when the blast occurred at approximately 6:00 pm ET. The ship was about 50 miles away from its destination when it shook violently.

Passengers described feeling a sudden jolt followed by a loud boom that filled the air and shook the entire ship from top to bottom. Passengers reported being thrown from their bunks onto the floor and being showered with debris from the ceiling that included insulation and metal shards from what appeared to be pipes or tubing.

The explosion caused significant damage to several areas of the ship including staterooms, public areas, and hallways. Windows were shattered, walls were cracked, furniture was tossed across rooms and glass shards covered floors. Water also began pouring into several cabins as a result of some of the damage caused by the blast.

Fortunately no one sustained any serious injuries as a result of the explosion but many passengers have been affected emotionally due to their frightful experience on board.

Conclusion:

What happened on Carnival Liberty cruise sent shockwaves throughout the cruise industry as it became apparent that explosions on board can occur with little warning. Although no one sustained any serious injuries due to this incident, it serves as an important reminder of how unpredictable events at sea can be.