A woman has died after falling overboard on a cruise ship off the coast of the Channel Islands while sailing to England from Portugal.
The disaster occurred aboard the 18-deck MSC Virtuosa at around 2am on Saturday en route from Lisbon to Southampton.
Passengers who spoke exclusively to MailOnline described how “alarm bells rang” at 1am in total darkness when the ship’s senior crew announced over the intercom that a person had fallen overboard on the port side.
Spotlights illuminated the sea as rescue planes from France and the Channel Islands flew to the site just north of Les Casquets rocks, near the island of Alderney.
A witness described how passengers on board were left “shocked, distressed and traumatized” by the scene when a body was recovered from the water.
Few are believed to have slept after the tragedy before the ship docked in Southampton this afternoon.
One passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, told MailOnline: “The ship sounded the alarm at 00:55 and the bridge went over the intercom announcing man overboard to port.”
“The ship then focused its search lights on the water and the captain turned the ship 180 degrees to return to the route we had come on in search of the passenger.
‘At 1:30 am, the cruise director made an announcement announcing the disappearance of a passenger and that his thoughts were with this passenger’s family.
“The helicopters and coastguard began arriving shortly after 2am and the body of the passengers was transferred to the helicopter at around 2.30am.”
A French Navy helicopter led the search and rescue operation and was supported by aircraft from the Channel Islands.
“Infrared cameras were used to locate the person, who would have had to fight to survive in the cold water,” said a French emergency services source.
Cecilia Speck, who was on board with her partner, said: “I was on deck when the captain announced from the bridge that there was ‘a man overboard.’
“It was really traumatic as some people were frantically going to see their loved ones who had not yet returned to their cabins.”
The search area was north of Les Casquets rocks, near the Channel Island of Alderney, the source said.
Channel Islands Air Search map showing the path it searched to find missing woman
The ship originally issued a Man Overboard alert, while loud explosions sounded in the total darkness. In the photo: the upper deck of the Virtuosa.
The 45-year-old said: “It is unfortunate that the girl has passed away, but at least her body was recovered quickly so that her family can bury her.”
“I need time to recover and my heart goes out to the family and everyone who was affected by this.”
There was no initial information on the identity or nationality of the deceased.
“Police investigations began following the incident in the early hours of Saturday,” a French coast guard source said.
‘At around 3am (French time, 2am in Britain) an emergency alert was received saying that a person was missing.
“A rescue helicopter was dispatched, but the person was pronounced dead shortly after being loaded onto the helicopter.”
The £650m Virtuosa, which has a crew of more than 1,500 and can carry up to 6,300 passengers, remained in the area before heading to Southampton.
On Saturday afternoon, the Viruousa was in Southampton, where detectives questioned the crew and passengers.
The Virtuosa, valued at £650 million and with a crew of more than 1,500 and capable of carrying up to 6,300 passengers, remained in the area before heading to Southampton.
On Saturday afternoon, the Viruousa was in Southampton, where detectives questioned the crew and passengers. In the photo: the dining room of the cruise ship.
At around 2am, searchlights were deployed to scan the sea near the rocks at Les Casquets, west of Alderney, in the hope of locating the missing person.
The ship’s owner, MSC Cruises, said in a statement: “A guest on board MSC Virtuosa fell overboard on October 12, while the ship was sailing towards Southampton.
‘The body was later recovered with the participation of the authorities.
‘We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.
“Out of respect for your privacy, we will not provide any further details.”
The Virtuosa, built in France in 2020, was scheduled to dock in Southampton at 6:15 a.m. and set sail again at 8:00 p.m.
The 18-deck ship has a 4D cinema, bowling alleys, casino, games room and Formula 1 simulator.
There are also a theater presenting Broadway-style productions and a lounge presenting ‘Carousel Productions at Sea’ shows featuring acrobatics and dancers.