Desperate search for British woman missing after ‘falling from cruise ship’ in Atlantic - The Independent

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A desperate search is underway for a British pensioner believed to have fallen off a cruise ship in the Atlantic.

The 72-year-old woman was last seen on board the Marella Voyager on Monday afternoon as it journeyed from Malaga in Spain to the Caribbean.

The ship’s crew launched an urgent manhunt on Tuesday evening after a cabin steward reported that the woman’s bed had not been slept in the night before, according to the Daily Mail.

By that time, the ship had already sailed some 550 miles towards Barbados. The US Coast Guard in Norfolk, Virginia has called on nearby ships to look out for the passenger.

A spokesperson for Marella Cruises told The Independent they were “deeply saddened” to confirm that a guest was reported missing on the Marella Voyager while crossing the Atlantic.

"As soon as the alarm was raised, the crew carried out a full search of the ship and we contacted the relevant authorities straight away,” they said.

"Our thoughts are with the guest's loved ones at this very difficult time.

"We're supporting the authorities with their enquiries, and out of respect for the guest and their family, we won't be commenting further at this stage."

The liner left Spain with some 2,000 passengers and 800 crew on board on 4 November and was expected to conclude its voyage in the Americas on Sunday.

It is understood the ship will not be able to turn around for the missing passenger.

The alarm was sounded around 7.30pm on Tuesday when a female passenger was asked to report to reception, according to the Mail.

Guests were reportedly later told to rally at stations for crew to scan boarding cards and verify who was on board.

Captain Silviu Mitrea told passengers on Wednesday that the woman was still missing, the Mail reported. Passengers were urged to contact guest services if they had any information.

A spokesperson for the foreign office told The Independent: “We are supporting the family of a British National reported missing on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean and we are in touch with the relevant authorities”.

An American passenger on a Carnival Cruise Line ship was reported to have fallen overboard in September during a seven-night cruise along the coast of the Baja peninsula.

Thomas Gigler, 56, was reportedly marking his 15th anniversary with his wife Michelle, 48, when he disappeared from the Carnival Panorama.

The captain initially reported that a passenger had jumped overboard following a review of CCTV cameras on board.