A British passenger remains missing after falling overboard from the Marella Explorer 2 cruise ship near Tenerife, after Spanish authorities suspended active search efforts following days of intensive rescue operations.
The incident took place in late November while the adults-only cruise ship was sailing in the Atlantic Ocean as part of a Canary Islands itinerary.
Man Overboard Reported During Morning Hours
Officials confirmed that the alarm was raised shortly before 10 a.m. local time on November 27, after crew members verified that a 76-year-old British man had gone overboard.
At the time of the incident, Marella Explorer 2 was sailing approximately 16.5 nautical miles northwest of Punta de Teno, off the western coast of Tenerife. The ship immediately slowed, turned back, and initiated standard man overboard response procedures.
Passengers onboard later confirmed hearing an announcement informing guests of the situation, indicating the incident had been visually confirmed by the crew.
Spanish Authorities Launch Multi-Day Search
Spain’s Salvamento Marítimo coordinated a large-scale search and rescue operation involving helicopters, patrol vessels, and surveillance aircraft. Units from the Spanish Coast Guard and Guardia Civil also took part, scanning a wide area of open sea.
Despite extensive efforts over several days, authorities were unable to locate the missing passenger.
By early December, officials confirmed that active search operations had been suspended, citing the absence of new leads and difficult ocean conditions.
Cruise Ship Continues Scheduled Itinerary
Marella Explorer 2 remained in the area for several hours before resuming its voyage. The ship later arrived in Santa Cruz de Tenerife during the early hours of November 28 as planned.
In a statement, Marella Cruises, part of TUI UK, said it was deeply saddened by the incident and confirmed it was cooperating fully with local authorities. The cruise line did not release further details regarding the circumstances of the fall.
No foul play has been indicated, and investigators have not issued additional findings.
About Marella Explorer 2
Marella Explorer 2 is a Malta-flagged cruise ship designed exclusively for adults. The vessel can accommodate more than 1,800 passengers and regularly operates seven-night Canary Islands cruises, calling at destinations including Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, and Madeira.
The ship was mid-voyage when the incident occurred.
Man Overboard Incidents Remain Rare
Man overboard cases are extremely rare in the cruise industry but often have tragic outcomes due to vast search areas, strong currents, and limited visibility once a person enters the water.
Maritime safety experts note that even with rapid response procedures, survival windows in open ocean conditions are very limited.
Search Ends Without Resolution
With the active search now concluded, the British passenger is presumed lost at sea. Authorities have advised vessels transiting the area to remain vigilant.
The incident has left passengers shaken and has once again highlighted the risks associated with overboard emergencies, even on modern cruise ships equipped with advanced safety systems.
