Passenger Dies After Falling From Cruise Ship at Port of Civitavecchia

Photographer: Cruises and Ferries

In what officials are calling a deliberate act, a 50-year-old German cruise passenger died on February 6 after falling from the Costa Smeralda while the vessel was docked at Pier 12 in the Port of Civitavecchia. Italian news sources, including RomaToday and TRC Giornale, reported that the incident occurred at around 2:00 p.m., with the passenger plunging from a height of approximately 30 meters (98 feet).

A tragic incident occurred on February 6 aboard the Costa Smeralda while the cruise ship was docked at the port of Civitavecchia, near Rome. Italian news outlets, including RomaToday and TRC Giornale, reported that the event occurred at around 2:00 p.m., when a male passenger fell from approximately 30 meters (98 feet).

Emergency responders, including firefighters, were already present at the port due to an unrelated earlier incident at the Bonifazi station. At the time, crews were preparing a helicopter landing to evacuate another passenger who had fallen ill on board the ship.

Immediately after the fall, on-site medical staff and emergency personnel rushed to assist the man and attempted resuscitation. Despite their intervention, a doctor at the scene pronounced the passenger dead shortly afterward.

Following an investigation, port police and the Italian Coast Guard classified the incident as a “voluntary gesture,” indicating that authorities believe the fall was deliberate.

Costa Cruises later confirmed the passenger’s death and expressed condolences to the family. In a translated statement, the company said:

“It is with deep sadness that we confirm the death of a guest of German nationality that occurred today in the port of Civitavecchia. According to an initial reconstruction, the guest jumped voluntarily onto the wharf while the ship was in port for normal operations. The crew intervened immediately, activating all emergency procedures”.

Costa Cruises is an Italian cruise line operating under Carnival Corp & plc. The Costa Smeralda is one of two Excellence-class vessels in the company’s fleet. Built in 2019, it is the second-largest ship operated by Costa Cruises.