12 October 2024 , 17:23
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Alarms were raised at 12.55am on Saturday, with the captain telling passengers there was a ’man overboard’ - forcing the ship to slow down and crews to launch a huge search
A woman has died after going overboard an 18-deck cruise ship bound for Southampton, sparking a huge search in the middle of the night, rescue services say.
Alarms were raised to passengers aboard the MSC Virtuosa at 12.55am on Saturday, with the ship letting off " three loud blasts" and the captain announcing there was a "man overboard" - forcing the ship to slow down and crews to launch the major search. One passenger told the Mirror that spotlights were used to light up the sea in a bid to find the missing man. The search covered north of Les Casquets rocks, west of Alderney.
A passenger onboard the ship told the Mirror loud blasts were heard at 2am with the ship slowed down and delayed in its arrival to Southampton. The traveller said: "The ship let off loud blasts, I thought the ship was in trouble, then the captain announced ’man overboard, man overboard, port side’ the ship slowed down and they had spotlights into the sea looking for him.
The missing person was found by a French helicopter crew
"They announced that they have a missing person and their thoughts and prayers are with the family, and that they are slowing the ship and we will be delayed getting to Southampton."
Eerie footage captured in the early hours shows rescue teams assembling on the ship’s deck. Another clip shows spotlights resting on the edge of the vessel being turned on to help locate the woman. A flashing light, thought to be a drone, was captured zooming above the Virtuosa as rescue teams placed ladders along the edge of the deck.
An urgent search was launched when a passenger had gone overboard ( Image: Facebook)
Another passenger told the Mirror about the moment the helicopters retrieved ’something’. They said: "Between then and 3.35am the ship turn around and tried to search. Then lots of other boats near seemed to be looking as suddenly we could see more boats from the surface. And at around 2.15 to 2.30 helicopters came and started looking.
"I watched the whole thing, it was hard to see in the dark. But me and my family saw when the helicopter hovered over the water.
Passengers told the Mirror that were were people shining torches into the sea ( Image: Facebook)
"The captain did turn the ship around and only when the helicopter had retrieved "something". Did he turn back around to go back on course. The boat really slowed down, but of course a cruise ship that size takes a while to turn around and go back."
A spokesperson from the French search and rescue service said the individual was pulled up from the sea by a helicopter crew. She was sadly pronounced dead by doctors. It is understood UK and French police are investigating what happpened.
A passenger films the search from their room after a person went overboard ( Image: Facebook)
The Maltese-flagged vessel, built in France in 2020, measures 332m (1,089ft) long and boasts 18 decks, accommodation for up to 6,334 passengers and 1,704 crew. Virtuosa was due to arrive in Southampton at 6:15am and depart at 8pm.
The ship also boasts a 4D cinema, bowling lanes, a casino, a game arcade, and a Formula 1 simulator. Passengers can also visit a theater hosting Broadway-style productions, as well as a lounge featuring Carousel Productions at Sea shows.
In a statement a spokesperson for the cruiseline told the Mirror: "A guest on board MSC Virtuosa went overboard on 12 October, while the ship was sailing to Southampton. The body was later recovered with the involvement 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 their privacy, we will not be providing further details."