A young woman died after going overboard from a MSC Cruises ship on its return to Southampton.
The man overboard alert was sounded aboard the MSC Virtuosa in the early hours as the ship passed west of Alderney in the Channel Islands at the weekend.
French Navy crews were scrambled as well as a spotter plane and a RNLI lifeboat from the Channel Islands.
Within about one hour the woman was winched from the water by a French helicopter and taken to a rescue centre but was pronounced dead.
The MSC Virtuosa was sailing back to England from Spain. It arrived back in Southampton slightly delayed.
“Channel Islands air search were called out and requested to assist in the search for a person overboard,” the RNLI posted on social media.
The cruise line confirmed the overboard incident: “A guest on board MSC Virtuosa went overboard 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.”
An investigation is being conducted by French police, with Hampshire police assistingd in Southampton with statements from crew and passengers.
