British tourist missing from Queen Mary 2 cruise ship

The search for a British tourist who is believed to have fallen overboard from a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has been called off.

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The 74-year-old woman was a Caribbean holiday aboard the Queen Mary 2 which left New York on Thursday.

According to the BBC, the alarm was raised when the woman was reported missing in the early hours of Friday when the ship had travelled almost 100 miles south-east of Atlantic City.

A fixed wing plane and a helicopter had been sent to search an area of almost 400sq nautical miles, the Press Association reports.

The Queen Mary 2 was beginning a 12-night Caribbean tour and will reach St Maarten on 26 December as scheduled.

In a statement, Cunard which operates the ship, said: "It is with sadness we can confirm that after a comprehensive search, working with all relevant authorities, Queen Mary 2 has halted the search for a missing guest, presumed overboard.

"Cunard's Care team is offering every support to the family. The ship is now back on course to reach St Maarten on 26 December as scheduled."