BREAKING NEWSPerson dies after falling overboard from MSC Virtuosa cruise ship off the Channel Islands

A woman has died after she went overboard while on a cruise ship near the Channel Islands, rescue services have said.

An distress signal was sent out at about 2am this morning after a woman in her 20s went overboard north of Les Casquets rocks, west of Alderney.

Passengers described how they heard three loud blasts before the Captain announced on the loud speaker that someone had gone overboard and they would be delayed getting to Southampton.  

A French navy helicopter, an RNLI lifeboat and a Channel Islands air search plane were involved in the rescue mission. 

The French search and rescue service said the casualty from the MSC Virtuosa was hoisted from the sea by a helicopter crew and was later pronounced dead by doctors.

An investigation is under way into the death by UK and French police, the service said.

A woman has died after she went overboard while on a cruise ship near the Channel Islands, rescue services have said

An distress signal was sent out at about 2am this morning after a woman in her 20s went overboard north of Les Casquets rocks, west of Alderney. Pictured: the MSC Virtuosa cruise ship 

Spotlights were deployed to scour the sea around 2am near the Les Casquets rocks, west of Alderney, in hopes of locating the missing individual. 

One person on board told the Mirror about the the startling moment when the blasts were heard and the ships journey to Southampton was subsequently delayed.

They said: At about 2am the ship let off loud blasts, I thought the ship was in trouble, then the captain announced man overboard, man overboard, port side the ship slowed down and they had spotlights into the sea looking for him. 

At 2:30 they announced that they have a missing person and their thoughts and prayers are with the family, and that they are slowing the ship and we will be delayed getting to Southampton. 

 Spotlights were deployed to scour the sea around 2am near the Les Casquets rocks, west of Alderney, in hopes of locating the missing individual

Spotlights were deployed to scour the sea around 2am near the Les Casquets rocks, west of Alderney, in hopes of locating the missing individual

The Virtuosa, built in France in 2020, was scheduled to dock in Southampton at 6:15am and set sail again at 8pm. 

On board the massive 18-deck vessel passengers can enjoy a range of entertainment options including a 4D cinema, bowling lanes, a casino, a game arcade, and a Formula 1 simulator.

Theres also a theatre hosting Broadway-style productions and a lounge featuring Carousel Productions at Sea shows. 

MailOnline has contacted MSC Cruises for comment.