Person dies after falling overboard from cruise ship off Channel Islands
· Sky NewsA person has died after going overboard from a cruise ship off the Channel Islands.
The French coastguard said it received a distress message shortly after midnight on Saturday.
A French navy helicopter, an RNLI lifeboat and a Channel Islands air search plane were involved in the rescue mission.
A French coastguard spokesman said its helicopter found the person, reported to be a woman, and hoisted them from the water but a medical team later pronounced them dead.
The Channel Islands Air Search said in a post on Facebook that the MSC Virtuosa was north of Les Casquets - northwest of Alderney - at the time.
The volunteer organisation said it was stood down after the person was lifted from the water.
The Virtuosa cruise ship is currently berthed at Southampton docks, having arrived at 8.04am from Cartagena Port in Spain.
The ship's owner MSC Cruises said: "A guest on board MSC Virtuosa went overboard on 12 October, while the ship was sailing to Southampton.
Read more from Sky News:
P&O Ferries owner will attend UK investment summit
Former British international athlete dies
Datawrapper This content is provided by Datawrapper, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Datawrapper cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Datawrapper cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Datawrapper cookies for this session only.
Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
"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."