A Cruise Ship Passenger’s Mysterious Disappearance
A British man, aged 76, is missing after a daring plunge from a cruise ship off the coast of Tenerife, Spain. The incident has sparked an urgent search operation, with authorities racing against time to locate the missing individual.
The Marella Explorer 2, operated by TUI, was en route to La Gomera, one of the Canary Islands, when the passenger was reportedly seen entering the water. This incident has raised concerns and prompted a comprehensive search and rescue mission.
The Spanish coast guard, Salvamento Marítimo, received an alert at 9:48 a.m. local time on Thursday, triggering a swift response. The Tenerife Rescue Center activated a maritime and air search, with the Marella Explorer 2 assisting in the operation. The ship docked in Santa Cruz de Tenerife at 2:40 a.m. on Friday, marking the culmination of a challenging search.
Local media outlet Vox Populi reported that the cruise ship captain followed the international ‘man overboard’ protocol, which includes deploying marker rafts, conducting circular search patterns, reviewing CCTV footage, and alerting authorities. The passenger’s disappearance occurred in a deep-water area with strong lateral currents, adding complexity to the search.
The Marella Explorer 2, an adults-only vessel, embarked on its seven-day Canarian Flavours cruise on November 21, departing from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. With 907 cabins across 14 decks, the ship offers a luxurious experience.
Marella Cruises expressed deep sadness over the incident, stating, ‘Our thoughts are with the individual and their loved ones. Our dedicated care team is providing support and comfort, and we are working closely with local authorities to offer every possible assistance.’
Spanish maritime authorities will continue coordinating air and sea searches, determined to locate the missing passenger. The fate of the 76-year-old British man remains a mystery, leaving a trail of questions and a sense of urgency in the wake of this tragic event.