Search Under Way After Passenger Falls From Tenerife Cruise Ship
So, here’s what’s unfolding right now off the coast of Tenerife — and it’s a situation that has left a lot of people shaken. A 76-year-old British passenger is missing after he reportedly fell overboard from the Marella Explorer 2, a cruise ship travelling through the Canary Islands. The incident was said to have happened on Thursday morning, and ever since, a full search operation has been under way.
According to the coast guard, an alert came in at 9:48am local time. At that moment, the ship was around 16.5 nautical miles northwest of Punta Teno, an area known for deep, open waters. As soon as the report came through, helicopters and patrol boats were deployed to scan the sea, while the crew on board began their own emergency procedures.
Also Read:- Google Pixel Revives Love Actually Magic for Christmas
- Bengals Shock Ravens on a Cold Thanksgiving Night
Marella Cruises later confirmed that a guest had been seen entering the water as the ship was heading toward La Gomera. Their statement expressed deep sadness, noting that their care team was already supporting the passenger’s family and that they were working closely with local authorities throughout the search effort.
People onboard described the moment the alarm sounded. One passenger, a 40-year-old from Dundee, said she had been eating breakfast with her mother when a loud announcement repeated the words “Man overboard” three times. Almost instantly, crew members moved into position, scanning the water while the coast guard approached from the air and sea. She recalled how the atmosphere shifted immediately — from a holiday mood to a tense, quiet focus.
Because the fall was believed to have happened during daylight, several witnesses were said to have been interviewed, as people were already up and about on deck and in dining areas. The captain activated the international man-overboard protocol, which includes reviewing cameras, dropping marker buoys, and carrying out specialised turning and search manoeuvres to retrace the ship’s path.
At around 2:40am local time, the Marella Explorer 2 docked in Santa Cruz de Tenerife after assisting extensively with the search. Later that night, passengers were informed that the operation had to be paused due to darkness, and that it would resume at first light. The mood onboard was described as sombre, especially after hearing that the search had been temporarily stood down.
Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office said it had not yet been contacted for assistance but was prepared to support if needed. For now, the focus remains on the ongoing search, with authorities and the cruise company continuing their coordinated efforts to locate the missing man.
Read More:
0 Comments