British tourist feared dead after falling overboard on cruise ship
A Scottish tourist is feared dead after falling overboard from a cruise ship heading to Hamburg, Germany.
Liam Jones, 23, messaged his wife Sophia Mcphee to say he was seasick aboard the MSC Euribia on March 16 as it set off from Southampton.
The social work student, from Dundee, was last seen on the deck of the 331-metre-long liner by his sister that day.
The cruise operator, MSC Cruises, has confirmed a passenger disappeared and police have since boarded the vessel after it returned to Britain.
Sophia told the Daily Record that the last time she saw her husband was March 14 when he travelled from their home to Glasgow to meet his family.
She said: ‘I feel so lost. He’s just… gone. I’m never going to see him again. I’m devastated.
‘I have so many questions, and I’m not getting any answers to what’s happened.’
The cruise, set to make pit stops in Germany, France and Belgium – was on its way to Hamburg when Liam texted Sophia.
She said Liam’s sister messaged her the following day, saying there had been an ‘accident’ and Liam ‘wasn’t coming back’.
CCTV footage, Liam’s sister told her, showed Liam going overboard.
‘I’ve not had contact from anyone else since,’ Sophia added.
According to its itinerary, the Euribia would have docked in Hamburg on March 27 before going to Rotterdam on Tuesday, Bruges on Wednesday and Le Harve on Thursday before arriving back in Southampton on Friday.
A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said: ‘A passenger on board MSC Euribia went overboard on 16 March as the ship was sailing to Hamburg.
‘This was reported to the authorities. The police in Southampton boarded the vessel today and investigated on behalf of the coroner.
‘We are deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will refrain from disclosing any additional information.’
Hampshire Constabulary, which is investigating the holidaymaker’s disappearance, has been contacted for comment.
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