Coast Guard searching for woman who jumped from Carnival Cruise liner in Gulf

A woman is missing in the Gulf after she leapt from the upper deck of a Carnival Valor cruise ship. 150 miles off the Louisiana Coast, a 32-year-old woman jumped from the ship Wednesday afternoon.

Reports are conflicting, Carnival states the woman jumped from her balcony, but cell phone footage shows a woman being handcuffed by security before a series of passengers crowd the side rail, where she apparently jumped.

The facts of what happened leading up to the accident haven’t been confirmed.

A Carnival spokesperson didn’t return calls for comment. Coast Guard air crews continue their search. Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Carlos Galarza said, “We’ve been searching throughout the night while looking for the missing female. We had assets there as well when we were notified at approximately 3 p.m. It’s still ongoing. This is still considered a search and rescue case, until the case has been suspended. But as of right now we are still actively searching.”

The Carnival Valor, which sails from New Orleans to Caribbean destinations, can carry nearly 3,000 guests.