Carnival: 6-year-old drowns in cruise pool

MIAMI — A 6-year-old boy drowned in one of the pools aboard a Carnival Cruise Lines ship while at sea, the company said in a statement Monday.

The Carnival Victory was on the last leg of a four-day Caribbean cruise Sunday when the boy drowned in the midship pool. He was at the pool area with other family members at the time, the statement said.

The ship arrived Monday morning at Port Miami. There were 3,094 guests on the ship and approximately 1,100 staff members.

“Carnival extends its heartfelt sympathy to the family during this very difficult time. The company’s CareTeam is providing assistance and support,” Carnival said in its statement.

The Miami-Dade Police Department was investigating the drowning and identified the boy as Qwentyn Hunter of Winter Garden, Fla. Investigators said the boy was with his 10-year-old brother in the pool at the time. Passengers immediately pulled the boy from the water and began CPR, but the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

The drowning appeared to be accidental and foul play was not suspected, police said.

The Miami-based cruise company has 24 ships that attract an average of 4.5 million passengers a year.