British passenger missing after falling from cruise ship off coast of Tenerife

A British passenger is missing after falling overboard from a cruise ship off the coast of Tenerife.

A search is under way for the 76-year-old man who was reported missing from the Marella Explorer 2 on Thursday morning.

Coast guards told Sky News they received an alert yesterday at 9.48am local time from the cruise ship, which was located 16.5 nautical miles northwest of Punta Teno, Tenerife.

Helicopters and patrol boats are taking part in the search.

A statement from Marella Cruises said: "We are deeply saddened to confirm that a guest was seen entering the water while the ship was on passage to La Gomera. Our thoughts are with the individual and their loved ones during this difficult time.

"Our dedicated care team is supporting the family, providing assistance and comfort.

"We are working closely with local authorities and will continue to offer every possible support."

The boat was crossing between Funchal in Madeira and San Sebastian de La Gomera in Spain's Canary Islands, according to news website Voz Populi.

The incident forced the captain to immediately activate the international "man overboard" protocol, which includes checking cameras, launching marker rafts and search manoeuvres, according to the website.

The Marella Explorer 2, which is operated by TUI and also took part in the search, docked at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife at 2.40am local time.

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Lesley-Anne Kelly, 40, from Dundee, was on the ship with her mother, and recalled the moment passengers were alerted to what had happened.

She said they were having breakfast and an alarm came on, followed by an announcement: "Man overboard, man overboard, man overboard."

Ms Kelly said crew members then all filed out to keep watch and the coast guard arrived around half an hour later.

A few hours later when they were in their cabin, she said the captain announced a marker had been put down and the ship had to stay in position until the coast guard said they could leave.

Later, passengers were told the search had been stood down due to darkness and that it would continue in the morning.

"It was pretty sombre last night, especially after the announcement that they were standing down the search," she said.

Ms Kelly said passengers were told that witnesses were being interviewed.

"People had clearly seen it happen," she said, adding: "It was breakfast time. Everybody was up and about.

"It was pretty bright, so yeah I can imagine if someone had gone in at that time of the day they would have been seen by multiple people."

The Foreign Office said it has not been contacted for consular assistance in this case, but staff stand ready to support British nationals overseas at all times.

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