An 80-year-old woman has died after being left behind on a remote island by a luxury cruise ship off Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, sparking an investigation into safety protocols.
The Australian national was found dead Sunday morning near a hiking trail on Lizard Island, a popular tourist spot north of Cairns. She had reportedly separated from her group during an excursion.
The cruise ship, Coral Adventurer, departed the island Saturday at sunset, unaware a passenger was missing. Several hours later, the crew realized her absence and promptly returned to the island.
The ship’s captain notified the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) around 9:00 PM local time in Queensland. AMSA immediately launched a search operation.
Search teams, including a helicopter and ground crews, were dispatched to the island. Local witnesses reported seeing a helicopter with spotlights flying over hiking trails overnight.
The search continued through the night, involving officials and seven crew members on the ground. It was briefly halted around 3:00 AM before resuming Sunday morning, when the woman’s body was discovered.
Mark Fifield, CEO of Coral Expeditions, the company operating the vessel, expressed condolences and confirmed they are providing full assistance to the family of the deceased. The company pledged full cooperation with authorities.
The woman was on the initial leg of a 60-day luxury cruise around Australia, valued at tens of thousands of U.S. dollars. The Coral Adventurer is designed to access remote coastal areas, carrying 120 passengers and 46 crew members.
Queensland Police have prepared a report for the coroner. Initial findings suggest the death was sudden and not suspicious.