Woman who died after going overboard on cruise ship named

Wednesday 16 October 2024

A 28-year-old woman who died after going overboard on a cruise ship near Alderney over the weekend has been named.

Colombian national Jessica Andrea Gómez Granda had been a passenger on the MSC Virtuosa when she was reported missing in the early hours of Saturday 12 October.

The Colombian consulate in London said it had confirmed with French counterparts that Ms Granda's body had been fully identified and her family contacted.

Consulado General in London Irene Vélez-Torres told the BBC that the woman's husband and witnesses were questioned by UK authorities in Southampton when the vessel arrived. 

It was determined that there was no reason to detain her husband.

Ms Vélez-Torres said: "It is the French authorities who, to date, have been conducting the preliminary investigation.

"The Consulate of Colombia in London is working with British authorities to gather more information regarding this case."

The MSC Virtuosa vessel was on its way to Southampton when it sent out a distress message shortly after midnight on Saturday.

Channel Islands Air Search, a French navy helicopter and a RNLI lifeboat from Alderney all took part in the search.

Ms Granda was located in the water at around 02:30.

She was hoisted onto the French helicopter and taken to a rescue centre in France, where a medical team confirmed her death.

Following the incident, a MSC Cruises spokesperson said: "A guest on board MSC Virtuosa went overboard on 12 October, while the ship was sailing to Southampton.

"The body was later recovered with the involvement of the authorities."

An investigation is now underway.