British newspapers, including the Mirror and the Daily Mail, report that a 76-year-old British tourist fell from a cruise ship north of the Canary Islands on Thursday morning. Spanish digital newspaper, ‘Vozpópuli,’ explains that the incident occurred during the crossing between Funchal and San Sebastián de La Gomera, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
According to the news, the police and coast guard were mobilised after the cruise ship ‘Marella Explorer 2’ issued a ‘Man Overboard’ alert.
The incident forced the captain to activate the international protocol of ‘Man overboard,’ which includes checking surveillance cameras, launching flares, circular search manoeuvers, and emergency communications to the Spanish maritime authorities.
Searches have been conducted in conjunction with the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency, while a helicopter was deployed to fly over the area and assist in visual tracking.
As yet, no one has disclosed the circumstances in which the passenger fell.
Today, the 29th of November, the search continues for the missing man.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
