Air and sea rescue teams are continuing a search for a guest who went overboard in the Atlantic near the Canary Islands. A UK national, 76, went overboard early on Thursday.
The rescue effort is now in its third day. The Spanish coastguard is coordinating the search, centered around an area 16.5 nautical miles off the coast of Tenerife.
UK guest went overboard near Tenerife
A Guardia Civil patrol boat and helicopter is assisting in the search, which resumed at first light on Saturday. Rescue teams are rotating aircraft and patrol boats.
The 76-year-old went overboard around breakfast time aboard the Marella Explorer 2 ship as it was sailing towards the small Canarian island of La Gomera. The incident was witnessed by other guests who have been interviewed.
“Everybody was up and about. It was pretty bright, so I can imagine if someone had gone in at that time of the day they would have been seen by multiple people,” Lesley-Anne Kelly, a passenger on the ship, told the media.
The ship remained in the area for several hours to assist in the search before docking in Tenerife early on Friday. “It was pretty somber last night, especially after the announcement that they were standing down the search,” Kelly added.
A spokesperson from TUI Group, which operates Marella Cruises, said it is cooperating with local authorities.
“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. Our dedicated care team is supporting the family,” it said.
Marella Explorer 2 accommodates around 1,800 passengers. It was returning to the Canary Islands after visiting the Portuguese island of Madeira when the incident happened. It was on a week-long round trip cruise from Tenerife.
This tragedy follows a similar incident earlier this year, when a search was launched for a missing crew member.
