Search suspended for British pensioner who fell from TUI cruise ship near Tenerife
The search for a 76-year-old British man who fell overboard from a TUI cruise ship near Tenerife has been officially called off, with authorities confirming that no body has been recovered.
Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service had launched a major operation after the alert was raised on Thursday morning, deploying search and rescue boats, a helicopter, and aerial surveillance to scour the waters north of Tenerife.
Rescue teams focused on an area where the sea conditions and currents suggested the man could have drifted. However, despite several days of intensive searching, there has been no trace of the missing man.
A spokesperson for Maritime Rescue confirmed that operations have now been scaled back: “There is now no specific mobilisation of resources as part of what we would call an intensive search.”
Commercial and fishing vessels in the region have been instructed to remain vigilant and report anything that could assist the investigation, but the active deployment of emergency resources has ended.
The man is understood to have fallen from the Marella Explorer 2 a little before 10:00am on Thursday, 28th November. The cruise liner, operated by TUI, was around 16.5 miles northwest of Punta de Teno, Tenerife, when the alarm was raised. The ship diverted towards La Gomera while rescue helicopters and intervention craft were dispatched.
Still missing at sea
Authorities have described the situation as tragic, and with the ongoing lack of sightings, hopes of a rescue have faded. No official information has been released regarding how the fall occurred, and the name of the missing man has not been made public.
Weather and sea conditions in the area were challenging at the time, with long swells and strong currents, making the search effort particularly difficult.
Cruise company assisting authorities
TUI is said to be cooperating fully with maritime authorities and providing support to those travelling with the missing passenger.
The investigation remains open, but unless new information emerges, the chances of recovering the man are now considered very slim.
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