Key Highlights
- A 76-year-old British tourist has gone missing after falling overboard from a TUI-operated cruise ship.
- An extensive air and sea search is underway off the coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
- The Marella Explorer 2, an adults-only cruise ship, was en route to La Gomera when the incident occurred.
- Local authorities have launched a joint maritime and air operation with helicopters and patrol boats assisting in the search.
Incident Details: Overboard Incident on TUI Cruise Ship
A 76-year-old British tourist has gone missing after falling overboard from the Marella Explorer 2, a cruise ship operated by TUI. The incident occurred off the coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands on Thursday morning.
Search Efforts Underway
The Spanish coastguard scrambled a helicopter to search for the missing British tourist. According to Marella Cruises, “We are deeply saddened to confirm that a guest was seen entering the water while the ship was on passage to La Gomera. Our thoughts are with the individual and their loved ones during this difficult time.” The dedicated care team is supporting the family and providing assistance.
Local Response and Support
The Marella Explorer 2 docked at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Friday morning, having left Tenerife on November 21. It was scheduled to visit Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Madeira, and La Gomera during a seven-day tour.
Local authorities have joined the search operation. A coastguard spokesperson stated that shortly before 10 am local time on Thursday, they received an alert from the ship indicating a man overboard incident about 16.5 miles northwest of Punta Teno in Tenerife.
The man is identified as a 76-year-old British passenger.
The search operation includes a Helimer 201 helicopter and the Civil Guard’s Cuco helicopter, with additional support from the Rio Guadiato patrol boat from La Palma. The Marella Cruises are working closely with local authorities to continue offering every possible support.
Passenger Accounts: Eyewitnesses Recount the Event
Lesley-Anne Kelly, 40, who lives in Dundee and was on the ship with her mother, recalled the moment when passengers were informed about the incident at breakfast time. She said that crew members filed out to keep watch, and the coastguard arrived about half an hour later.
Kelly added that several hours after the announcement, they were told a marker had been put down and the ship had to stay in position until the coastguard said it could leave. At around 7:30 pm, the captain announced that the search would be stood down due to darkness and would continue on Friday morning.
According to Kelly, people had clearly seen the incident happen. “It was breakfast time.
Everybody was up and about. It was pretty bright, so yeah I can imagine if someone had gone in at that time of the day they would have been seen by multiple people.” The captain informed passengers that witnesses were being interviewed.
Industry Context: Recent Incidents Involving Man Overboard
In recent weeks, similar incidents involving man overboard situations have occurred on other cruise ships. Last Saturday, a 73-year-old man fell overboard from a Disney Cruise ship between Australia and New Zealand, where he is presumed dead. In October, a man was believed to have died after falling off a Norwegian Cruise Line ship near Portugal during a transatlantic voyage to Miami.
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges cruise ships face in ensuring passenger safety, especially during navigation through open waters.
Conclusion
- The search for the missing 76-year-old British tourist continues with extensive efforts from local authorities and the ship’s crew.
- This incident adds to a growing concern about passenger safety on cruise ships, as similar events have occurred in recent months.
