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An urgent search is underway after a British passenger fell from a cruise ship off the coast of Tenerife.
The 76-year-old man was reported missing from the Marella Explorer 2 on Thursday morning.
Marella Cruz spokesperson told Independent: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that a guest was seen entering the water while the ship was sailing to La Gomera. Our thoughts are with that person and their loved ones during this difficult time.
“Our dedicated care team is supporting the family, providing assistance and comfort. We are working closely with local authorities and will continue to provide every possible assistance.”
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The Spanish coast guard was first alerted to the incident at 9.48am on Thursday, when the ship was located 16.5 miles north-west of Punta Teno.
According to the news website, the boat was passing between Funchal in Madeira and San Sebastian de la Gomera in Spain’s Canary Islands. Voz Populi,
Lesley-Anne Kelly, 40, who lives in Dundee, was on the ship with her mother and recalled the moment passengers were informed at around 10am.
She said they were having breakfast and an alarm went off followed by someone’s voice repeatedly saying, “Man in water, man in water, man in water, man in water.”
Ms Kelly said all crew members came out to keep watch and the Coast Guard arrived about half an hour after the announcement.
A few hours later when they were in their cabin, the captain came and told them that a marker had been put down and that the ship would have to remain there until the coast guard said they could leave.
At about 7.30am, Ms Kelly said the captain announced the search had been called off due to darkness and would continue into the morning.
“Last night was very sad, especially after the announcement that they were conducting a search,” he said.
Ms Kelly said passengers were told witnesses were being interviewed.
“People had clearly seen it happen,” he said, “it was breakfast time.” Everyone was getting up. It was quite bright, so yes I can imagine that if someone had gone inside at that time of day they would have been seen by many people.
A sea and air operation was launched, involving a helicopter, two search ships and an aircraft in the search. It was resumed this morning, with the Rio Guadiato patrol boat from La Palma also joining the search.
The Marella Explorer 2, which had taken part in the initial emergency search, arrived at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife at 2.40am local time.
The adults-only cruise ship was launched 30 years ago and has 907 cabins on 14 decks, with ten bars and ten restaurants for guests to choose from, as well as a casino, a Broadway show lounge and an open-air cinema.