A senior citizen from Britain fell overboard from a cruise ship operated by TUI, leading to a large-scale rescue effort. Spanish authorities are currently searching the waters near the Canary Islands after the Marella Explorer 2, an adults-only cruise ship, issued a Man Overboard alert.
The incident occurred as the ship was en route to La Gomera from Madeira. A helicopter and rescue boats were deployed to assist in the search operation. The vessel’s captain initiated protocol procedures, including reviewing surveillance footage, deploying marker buoys, and conducting search maneuvers.
Marella Cruises expressed their sadness over the situation, confirming that a passenger was observed entering the water. The cruise line is providing support to the individual’s family and collaborating with local authorities for assistance.
The incident took place approximately 16 nautical miles from Punta de Teno, the northwestern point of Tenerife. Spanish coastguards coordinated a search operation involving maritime and air resources, including helicopters and patrol boats.
Despite efforts, the missing person, described as a tourist, has not been located yet. The search operation continues, and authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the individual’s identity or the circumstances of the incident.
The cruise ship is currently docked in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, after departing on a tour that included stops in various Canary Islands. The Malta-flagged vessel offers amenities such as bars, restaurants, an open-air cinema, and a theatre for entertainment.
The cruise liner, built in 1995, departed Tenerife on a seven-day Canarian Flavours tour, with planned visits to Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Madeira, and La Gomera.