A WOMAN has died after going overboard from a cruise ship near Alderney.
Channel Islands Air Search were called out in the early hours of Saturday to assist the French coastguard in the search for the casualty who had been on-board the MSC Virtuosa vessel which was north of Les Casquets rocks on its way to Southampton.
The French coastguard received a distress message shortly after midnight with a French navy helicopter and RNLI lifeboat from Alderney also taking part in the search.
The woman was located in the water at around 2.30am and hoisted onto the French helicopter and taken to a rescue centre in France where a medical team confirmed her death.
In a statement, MSC Cruises said: “A guest on board MSC Virtuosa went overboard on 12 October, 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, and our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.
“Out of respect for their privacy, we will not be providing further details.”
Officers from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary are “assisting with inquiries” regarding the incident.
In a statement provided to the JEP, the force said: “It has been reported that the woman went overboard the MSC Virtuosa during the early hours of this morning and subsequently died.
“The investigation is not being managed by UK authorities.”
The 331-metre cruise ship was berthed at Southampton on Saturday afternoon following the incident.
