A woman has died after falling overboard on a cruise ship off the coast of the Channel Islands as it sailed from Portugal to England.
Disaster struck around 2 a.m. on Saturday on board the 18-deck MSC Virtuosa en route from Lisbon to Southampton.
Passengers who spoke exclusively to MailOnline described how “alarms sounded” in the pitch black at 1am as senior crew members announced over the intercom that a person had fallen overboard on the port side.
Floodlights lit up the sea as rescue planes from France and the Channel Islands flew into the site just north of the Les Casquets cliffs, near the island of Alderney.
An eyewitness described how passengers on board were ‘shocked, saddened and traumatised’ by the scene as a body was pulled from the water.
It is believed few slept after the tragedy before the ship docked in Southampton this afternoon.
One passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, told MailOnline: ‘The ship raised the alarm at 12.55pm and the bridge came over the intercom announcing a man overboard on the port side.
‘The ship then shone its searchlights in the water, the captain then turned the ship 180 degrees to go back the route we had come in search of the passenger.
‘At 1.30am an announcement was made by the cruise director that there was a missing passenger and their thoughts were with this passenger’s family.
‘Helicopters and coastguards arrived just after 2am and the passengers’ bodies were lifted into 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 struggled to survive in the cold water,” a French emergency services source said.
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 walking around checking for loved ones who had not yet returned to their huts.”
The search area was north of the Les Casquets cliffs, near the Channel Island of Alderney, the source said
Map of Channel Islands Air Search showing the path it searched for the missing woman
The ship originally sounded a man-overboard alarm, with loud bangs resounding in the pitch black. Pictured: the upper deck of the Virtuosa
The 45-year-old said: ‘It’s a shame that the girl has sadly passed away, but at least her body was recovered quickly so her family can lay her to rest.
“I need time to recover and my heart goes out to the family and everyone affected by this.”
There was no initial information on the identity or nationality of the deceased.
“The police investigation into the incident began 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 stating that a person was missing.
“A rescue helicopter was called but the person was pronounced dead shortly after being lifted onto the helicopter.”
The £650 million Virtuosa, which has a crew of more than 1,500 people and can carry up to 6,300 passengers, remained in the area before heading to Southampton.
The Viruousa was in Southampton on Saturday afternoon, where crew and passengers were questioned by detectives.
The £650 million 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.
The Viruousa was in Southampton on Saturday afternoon, where crew and passengers were questioned by detectives. In the photo: the dining room on the cruise ship
At around 2am floodlights were deployed to search 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 went overboard on October 12 while the ship was sailing to Southampton.
‘The body was later recovered with the intervention of the authorities.
‘We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.
“Out of respect for their privacy, we will not provide any further details.”
The Virtuosa, built in France in 2020, was due to dock in Southampton at 6.15am and depart at 8pm.
The 18-deck ship has a 4D cinema, bowling alleys, a casino, an arcade and a Formula 1 simulator.
There is also a theater with Broadway-style productions and a lounge with ‘Carousel Productions at Sea’ shows with acrobatics and dancers.