Sponsored By

Celebrity Equinox, Serenade of the Seas cruisers in fatal bus crashCelebrity Equinox, Serenade of the Seas cruisers in fatal bus crash

Eighteen people were taken to hospitals in Mexico after a Costa Maya tour bus carrying 27 passengers from Celebrity Equinox and Serenade of the Seas, a tour guide and driver overturned Tuesday morning.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

December 19, 2017

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

There were unconfirmed news reports of, variously, 11 or 12 deaths, citing a Quintana Roo state official. Neither Costa Maya nor Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has confirmed any fatalities.

In an official statement Costa Maya said the 18 people who were injured on Bus 1012 were taken to four hospitals, and five people have been discharged. The nationalities of the passengers are US, Italian, Swedish and Brazilian.

News footage from Mexico showed the bus on its side, with ambulances and police on hand. Some people stood or sat on the roadside, and belongings were scattered around. The weather was clear and the pavement dry.

The accident occurred at Km. 5 of the Mahahual-Cafetal highway, when passengers were on en route to the Chacchoben ruins.

'Our hearts go out to all those involved in the bus accident in Costa Maya. We are doing all we can to care for our guests, including assisting with medical care and transportation,' Royal Caribbean said in a statement.

The company added: 'We are working with the local authorities to learn more about the accident.'

Celebrity Equinox is on a seven-night cruise that departed PortMiami on Saturday. Serenade of the Seas is on a seven-night cruise that sailed from Port Everglades on Friday.

Costa Maya said the injured were taken to Carranza Hospital in Chetumal, Costa Med Hospital in Mahahual, Costa Med Hospital in Tulum and Centro Comunitario de Bacalar.

The port said it has a representative in every hospital, as well as officials from the government of Quintana Roo and insurance companies to assist.

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

The latest cruise news, analysis and more straight to your inbox
Get the free newsletter read by industry experts

You May Also Like