An elderly woman, aged 80, lost her life on a secluded island after being abandoned by a luxury cruise ship during its lavish journey around Australia, prompting an inquiry.
The individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, was first reported missing to officials on Saturday evening, following a search that confirmed she was not aboard the Coral Adventurer cruise ship, according to BBC News.
Earlier that day, the ship docked at Lizard Island, a vacation spot featuring a nature reserve located approximately 20 miles from the Queensland coastline. Authorities stated that the woman was hiking on Cook’s Look peak with fellow passengers, but she eventually left the group to rest. Ultimately, she “failed to board” the vessel, and the cruise departed promptly at sunset as planned, reported the Australian Broadcasting Company.
Queensland Police confirmed that the woman’s remains were discovered early Sunday morning during a follow-up search of the island. They characterized her death as “sudden and non-suspicious,” yet noted that an investigation into the incident is still underway.
No official explanation has been released, but news.com.au suggested that she may have tumbled down a cliff on the island. It remains unclear why the crew took several hours to notice the woman’s absence.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority stated that its investigation will encompass “the factors surrounding why the passenger may not have been accounted for” during the boarding procedure.
“The Coral team has been in contact with the woman’s family, and we will continue to provide assistance to them throughout this challenging time,” said CEO Mark Fifield of Coral Expeditions, according to news.com.au. “We are collaborating closely with Queensland Police and other agencies to aid their investigation.”
According to records cited by CNN, the Coral Adventurer, which accommodates 120 passengers and 46 crew members, departed Cairns port just a day earlier, on October 24.
