An elderly woman tragically passed away on a remote island after she was accidentally left behind by a cruise ship during a 60-day voyage around Australia. Authorities are conducting an investigation to determine how the woman became stranded on the isolated island in Far North Queensland.
Questions have arisen regarding the rescue efforts and whether the woman could have been saved. The woman, who held a pricey ticket for the cruise, was not reported missing until a significant delay after the ship’s departure from Cairns on Friday. The vessel had made a stop at Lizard Island, where it is believed that the woman had gone hiking and became separated from her group.
Reports suggest that the woman may have fallen off a cliff while exploring the island. Search efforts were initiated after she failed to return to the ship, with her remains being airlifted from the island later on. Concerns have been raised about safety protocols during the incident, particularly regarding passenger headcounts and response times.
Coral Expeditions, the company operating the cruise, confirmed the woman’s tragic death and stated that they had cooperated with authorities in the search and rescue operation. They have been in contact with the woman’s family and are working closely with Queensland Police to address the situation.