Three passengers are reported to have been struck by lightning during a cruise visit to St Maarten this week, with another two reporting minor injuries.
The storm in question took place on St Maarten on Wednesday 31st July, with three passengers in the sea swimming when the lightning struck, and another two hit on the boardwalk area while holding an umbrella.
First responders were quickly on the scene and transported the three visitors with serious injuries to local medical facilities for treatment. Their current condition is unknown.
The other two guests were treated at the scene and were able to board their ship to continue on their cruise.
According to reported comments from a guest on Carnival Magic, the guests involved were from the other two ships docked at the destination that day, which were Carnival Vista and Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas.
Local media organisation St Maarten News released this footage of the storm:
Video persons injured by Lightning Strike Boardwalk St Maarten from StMaartenNews on Vimeo.
While there’s a famous story from earlier in 2024 when a cruise ship itself was struck by lightning and caught fire, injuries to cruise passengers from electrical storms are as rare as they are on land, so this is highly unusual.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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