Tragic news from the Marella Explorer 2 cruise ship as a British passenger has gone missing after falling overboard off the Canary Islands. The 76-year-old man was last seen around breakfast time on Thursday, prompting an urgent “Man overboard” alarm. The ship, en route to La Gomera, was forced to halt as an extensive search operation with boats, planes, and helicopters was launched.
Marella Cruises expressed their deepest sympathies, stating, “Our thoughts are with the individual and their loved ones during this difficult time.” The company is actively supporting the family and cooperating with local authorities.
Lesley-Anne Kelly from Dundee, on board the ship, recounted the tense moments after the announcement. As passengers were having breakfast, the alarm broke the normalcy, and soon after, the ship’s crew and Coastguard started their search. She described the atmosphere onboard as “somber” following the announcement to pause the search due to darkness, with plans to resume at dawn.
It’s understood that several passengers witnessed the incident, given the clear daylight at the time. The ship finally moved from its stationary position early Friday morning when the maritime conditions allowed.
Our hearts go out to everyone involved, especially the family and friends of the missing passenger. Stay tuned for any updates on this ongoing situation.