🔗 Share this article

A 60-day voyage around Australia has been cancelled following the death of an senior lady who was abandoned by the cruise liner on a distant island.

Suzanne Rees had been walking on the tropical location with shipmates from the cruise ship, but broke off from the group for a break. The vessel departed without her and went back after some time after the crew realised the woman was missing.

A large-scale hunt located her remains the subsequent day.

Officials are investigating the incident, in coordination with investigators and the medical examiner.

Chief Executive of the cruise operator stated that guests and staff on the vessel were told that the remainder of the journey had been cancelled due to the "unfortunate death and previous mechanical issues".

Via official communication, he further stated that guests would be given a total repayment, and said the company was working "to organize the return journeys of the travelers via specially arranged planes".

Authorities also issued an latest communication, and said they had "provided a notice to the Commander" banning any new passengers from entering the ship.

The spokesperson said that they would inspect the vessel in the Australian city upon its coming back.

Chronology of Events

The vessel initially left Cairns on October 24th, and was only 48 hours into the expedition at the point of the 80-year-old's passing. Lizard Island was the first stop on the journey.

Passengers on board - who usually pay large sums of money to participate in the voyage - were ferried there for a day trip with the option of hiking or snorkelling.

Next of Kin Statement

The offspring of the victim said that her relatives was "surprised and distressed that the liner left the island after an planned outing without my mum".

Via her announcement, she characterized her mum as an "energetic elderly person" who was a affiliate of a walking club.

"According to scant facts we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of responsibility and basic judgment," she said.

She added that she hoped the inquiry would be able to determine what "the company should have undertaken that might have saved Mum's existence".

"We understand from the authorities that it was a very hot period, and mother became unwell on the hill climb," she revealed.

"Officials suggested her to return, without accompaniment. Then the boat sailed away, reportedly without conducting a passenger count.

"At a certain moment in that chain of events, or not long after, mother died, by herself."

Operator Reaction

Via official communication, the CEO affirmed that the company was "cooperating fully with authorities to aid their examination".

He mentioned that the company was "very regretful that this has occurred" and had extended its full support to the loved ones.

Cruise Industry Procedures

The ship caters for up to a hundred twenty passengers with nearly fifty crew, according to company data. It was specially constructed to enter distant regions of the Australian coastline and is equipped with "auxiliary vessels" - small boats used to transport travelers on day excursions.

Incidents like this are uncommon, and passenger vessels have protocols to document which travelers are embarking or getting off, according to industry experts.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] aboard just isn't an possibility," an authority commented.

Cruise lines take these procedures very seriously and have "clever tech in place to prevent such events from taking place," the specialist added.

"This is most likely a shocking - and sad - single occurrence."