A major search operation is currently in progress after a crew member was reported to have gone overboard from a cruise ship off the coast of Kent. The HM Coastguard has taken charge of coordinating the search near Ramsgate following an alert that came in around 08:55 today.
Multiple assets have been deployed in the operation, including a helicopter, a Coastguard aircraft, and lifeboats. The crew member in question was on board the German AIDAperla cruise ship when the incident occurred in the early hours of October 22.
In a statement, AIDA cruises acknowledged the situation, saying, “The captain and crew of AIDAperla immediately initiated all necessary rescue measures in close coordination with the local authorities.” The search conducted on board confirmed that a male crew member is now missing.
According to reports, the cruise ship was en route from Hamburg, Germany to Rotterdam, the Netherlands at the time of the incident.
The search and rescue operation is ongoing, with authorities working tirelessly to locate the missing crew member. The HM Coastguard is urging anyone with information or sightings relevant to the incident to come forward and assist in their efforts.
