Tui cruise passenger plunges from ship as coastguards scramble to the scene

The alarm was sounded yesterday morning as the 14-deck vessel headed to the Canaries from Madeira and the captain slowed it to a near-stop before activating 'protocol procedures', local media reports.

The procedures included reviewing cameras, launching marker buoys and conducting circular search manoeuvres.

The incident is believed to have happened when the cruise liner was around 16 nautical miles from Punta de Teno on Tenerife's most northwestern point.

Spanish coastguards, who have yet to make any official comment, are said to have mobilised two of their specialist rescue vessels including the Tenerife-based Salvamar Menkalinan as part of a sea search supported from the air by an emergency helicopter.

A German-flagged yacht answered the SOS call, according to local media.

The identity and nationality of the passenger or circumstances of the fall are currently unclear.

The ship arrived in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz at around 2.30am this morning.

The Malta-flagged cruise liner was built in 1995 and has 10 bars including the golf-themed 19th Hole and 10 restaurants as well as an open air cinema and Broadway-style theatre.

It departed Tenerife on November 21 for a seven-day Canarian Flavours tour with scheduled stops in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Madeira and La Gomera.

A Marella Cruises Statement spokesman: "We are deeply saddened to confirm that a guest was seen entering the water while the ship was on passage to La Gomera.

"Our thoughts are with the individual and their loved ones during this difficult time.

"Our dedicated care team is supporting the family, providing assistance and comfort. We are working closely with local authorities and will continue to offer every possible support."

In a separate incident on November 20, an American woman mysteriously disappeared from a cruise ship in the Caribbean.

Ann Evans, 55, went missing during an organised island tour in Sint Maarten, east of Puerto Rico.

She was seen departing the Holland America Line Rotterdam ship around 10am to go on the tour and getting off the bus in Marigot, French Saint Martin, but failed to return.

Authorities say law enforcement authorities on both the Dutch and French sides of the island have been alerted.