On Wednesday, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority located the body of a 23-year-old woman who went overboard from a cruise ship off the coast of Australia.
After a crew member reported a passenger missing on the Pacific Explorer, operated by P&O Cruises Australia, a major search was launched. When the MOB statement was issued, the vessel was about 70 kilometers (43 miles) offshore from Cape Jaffa in South Australia.
Authorities launched a rescue plane overnight along with two helicopters at dawn. The SA Police announced that they found the woman’s body in the water shortly before 7 am.
The Pacific Explorer, which can accommodate around 2,000 guests, set sail from Melbourne on Tuesday on a four-night round trip to Kangaroo Island in South Australia.
A spokesman for Carnival Australia said the death had also “profoundly affected” other passengers and crew.
“We are continuing to provide care and assistance to the family member this guest traveled with and extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones,” Carnival Australia said in a statement. “We thank everyone who supported this distressing and challenging search operation,” the company said.
P&O Cruises Australia said the ship’s scheduled visit to Kangaroo Island had been canceled and those police authorities would investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.