A 72-year-old British woman vanished from a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic, triggering an emergency headcount after a cabin steward discovered her bed had not been slept in.
The passenger was last seen aboard the Marella Voyager on Monday, November 9, during a voyage from Malaga, Spain, to the Caribbean. Her disappearance was reported Tuesday evening, prompting a shipwide search.
The U.S. Coast Guard has since suspended its search, according to a statement provided to People. Officials cited the remote location, a broad search area, difficult sea conditions and a low likelihood of survival. The agency said the ship reported it did not have enough fuel to return to the suspected search area.
The woman is believed to have gone overboard, but exactly when and how she disappeared remains unclear. Her name has not been publicly released.
According to the Daily Mail, passengers were first asked to report to reception Tuesday evening before guests were directed to muster stations around 9 p.m. Crew members scanned boarding cards to determine whether the missing woman was still aboard.
Passengers stood in lines as staff explained that the gathering was a headcount, rather than an order to evacuate.
By the time the alarm was raised, the vessel had traveled hundreds of miles beyond its location when the woman was last seen. The Coast Guard’s rescue coordination center in Norfolk, Virginia, issued a broadcast asking nearby vessels to watch for her.
Marella Cruises said its crew searched the ship and contacted authorities as soon as the disappearance was reported.
“Our thoughts are with the guest’s loved ones at this very difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
The ship had encountered rough weather during the Atlantic crossing, with passengers describing strong waves and seasickness. However, TUI said there was nothing to suggest the weather played a role in the woman’s disappearance.
Security footage was being reviewed for clues, according to reports. British officials confirmed they were supporting her family and communicating with the relevant authorities.
The Marella Voyager departed Malaga on November 4. Its itinerary includes Antigua and Dominica before the voyage ends in Barbados on November 15.
Leave a Reply