Man presumed dead after cruise ship plunge into English Channel
A man is presumed dead after falling overboard a cruise ship into the English Channel.
A search and rescue mission has been in full operation throughout the night, but has now been called off, according to a French coastguard source.
The man was on board the Celebrity Eclipse liner - owned by Celebrity Cruises - and fell into the Channel at around 10.15 pm on Friday 20 May, eight miles north of Cherbourg,
The ship is believed to have been travelling from Cherbourg to Southampton.
It is as yet unknown whether the man was a holidaymaker or a member of staff.
A source told the Independent:' Unfortunately there was a man in the sea. We searched for him extensively but we could not find him.
'We deployed our resources to find him but it was to no avail and we can now presume that he is dead.
'The water was very cold and there is no hope for him.'
Solent Coastguard Maritime Rescue confirmed it had received information that a person onboard the cruiser had fallen overboard but did not know if he was British.
Celebrity Cruises offer trips around Europe and the Mediterranean, with cruises ranging from eight to 14 nights in length.
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