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An extensive 60-day cruise through Australia is being halted in the wake of the death of an older female passenger who was abandoned by the vessel on a distant island.

The passenger had been walking on the tropical location with shipmates from the cruise ship, but separated from the party for a pause. The liner sailed away leaving her and came back later that day after the ship staff became aware the woman was unaccounted for.

A major hunt found her remains the subsequent day.

Officials are looking into the tragedy, alongside law enforcement and the medical examiner.

Head of the cruise operator announced that travelers and crew on the ship were notified that the remainder of the cruise had been called off due to the "tragic passing and previous mechanical issues".

Through an announcement, he mentioned that travelers would be issued a complete reimbursement, and said the operator was working "to arrange the travel back of the passengers via private aircraft".

Officials also published an updated statement, and said they had "delivered a directive to the Master" preventing any additional guests from boarding the liner.

The official said that they would inspect the vessel in Cairns upon its return.

Chronology of Events

The ship originally sailed from the Australian port on October 24th, and was just two days into the journey at the time of the senior passenger's passing. Lizard Island was the first stop on the journey.

Travelers on the ship - who usually pay large sums of dollars to take part in the expedition - were taken there for a shore visit with the possibility of trekking or snorkeling.

Relatives Response

The daughter of the deceased woman said that her relatives was "stunned and grieved that the ship left Lizard Island after an organised excursion without my parent".

In her statement, she portrayed her parent as an "energetic 80-year-old" who was a participant of a walking group.

"Based on limited details we have been informed, it appears that there was a breakdown of care and ordinary reasoning," she stated.

She further stated that she wished the inquiry would be able to pinpoint what "the company should have performed that might have saved Mother's existence".

"We understand from the investigators that it was a very hot period, and mother fell ill on the hill climb," she revealed.

"She was asked her to go back, without accompaniment. Then the boat left, reportedly without doing a headcount.

"At some stage in that process, or shortly after, she succumbed, alone."

Company Position

Via official communication, the Head verified that the operator was "cooperating fully with investigators to support their investigation".

He stated that the company was "very regretful that this has occurred" and had provided its total backing to the family.

Shipping Sector Standards

The liner accommodates up to a hundred twenty guests with nearly fifty staff, according to company information. It was purpose-built to access remote regions of Australia's coast and is outfitted with "auxiliary vessels" - small boats used to ferry travelers on shore trips.

Events of this nature are uncommon, and liners have systems to track which travelers are getting on or leaving, according to industry experts.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard really isn't an choice," a specialist remarked.

Shipping companies consider these processes very seriously and have "clever tech in place to avoid such occurrences from happening," the specialist continued.

"This is probably a surprising - and sad - one-off."