A woman has died after going overboard from a cruise ship near the Channel Islands, according to rescue services. The incident prompted an alert at ~02:00 BST on Saturday, October 12th, initiating a search for the woman, who was in her 20s, in the waters north of Les Casquets rocks, west of Alderney.
The French search and rescue service confirmed that the woman, a passenger from the MSC Virtuosa, was recovered from the sea by a helicopter crew. Despite efforts to save her, she was later pronounced dead by medical personnel.
Passengers on board the ship described how an alarm sounded 3 times, indicating that someone had gone overboard. They were asked to pray for the missing woman and went to observe the search. About half an hour later, the cruise director informed them that the search for a missing passenger would delay the ship's arrival in Southampton UK.
MSC Cruises, the operator of the vessel, confirmed the incident in a statement, reporting that a guest had gone overboard on October 12th while the ship was en route to Southampton. The company expressed its deep sadness over the event and extended condolences to the family, while also stating that no further details would be released out of respect for the family's privacy.
The investigation into the circumstances of the woman's death is being led by French authorities. Rescue efforts involved a plane from Channel Islands Air Search, lifeboat crews from Alderney and France, and a French helicopter from Cherbourg. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed their officers were assisting with inquiries, adding that it had been reported the woman went overboard during the early hours of the morning and subsequently died.