Man falls overboard during cruise in Australia: momentary “hope” during major search, body recovered from sea | Abroad

The P&O Pacific Adventure was on his way back to Sydney after a three-day trip to the famous Moreton Island, off the south-east coast of Queensland.

When early Monday morning, about 18 kilometers off the coast, it turned out that a passenger was missing on board, it quickly became clear that he must have fallen overboard. And not even that long ago. All stops were pulled out to find the man. Numerous boats joined in the search, and helicopters with infrared cameras were also deployed.

For a moment there was hope that the passenger who had fallen overboard – despite rough waters – would be found alive. Navy Commander Joseph McNulty said at one point that police were “hopeful” because one of three life rings that the ship itself had thrown into the water after the man’s fall had not been found. This fueled hopes that the man may have clung to it. “The time frame for survival is also still within limits,” it said.

Unfortunately, the passenger’s body was later recovered from the water. The shipping company speaks of a “very stressful day for the guests and crew” after the tragedy. There were more than 2,600 people on board. Another of the ship’s cruises, scheduled to depart in the afternoon, was postponed. The police started an investigation.

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