A multinational maritime search operation is currently underway off the northwestern coast of Tenerife following the distressing incident involving a British national who fell from a cruise vessel. The 76-year-old passenger was reportedly observed entering the water while the Marella Explorer 2, operated by TUI Group, was transiting toward La Gomera island on Thursday morning.
The Spanish Coast Guard initiated coordinated search and rescue protocols at 09:48 local time (08:48 GMT), mobilizing maritime assets to scour the waters where the incident occurred. The Malta-registered cruise ship, which specializes in adult-only voyages, immediately participated in initial search efforts before proceeding to its scheduled docking in Santa Cruz de Tenerife during Friday’s early hours.
Marella Cruises, TUI’s cruise division, confirmed the company is providing comprehensive support to the passenger’s family while maintaining close collaboration with Spanish authorities. The vessel was completing an inter-island journey from Madeira, Portugal to Spain’s Canary Islands archipelago when the overboard incident transpired.
According to TUI’s specifications, the Marella Explorer 2 represents modern cruise hospitality with capacity for 1,814 passengers distributed across 907 cabins and 14 decks. The Foreign Office has been contacted regarding the incident involving the British citizen, though official statements remain pending as search operations continue.