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The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is searching for a 77-year-old woman who fell overboard from a cruise ship while it was sailing near the coast of Cuba, authorities reported this Thursday.
The incident occurred aboard the Nieuw Statendam, a ship from the Holland America Line, approximately 40 miles northeast of Sabana, on the northern coast of Cuba, reported Telemundo 51.
So far, the identity of the passenger has not been revealed, and the circumstances under which she fell into the sea remain under investigation.
According to maritime records, the Nieuw Statendam —measuring 975 feet in length and capable of accommodating nearly 2,700 guests— departed from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on December 27.
The itinerary included a stop in Key West on Friday, before returning to Florida on Saturday.
The USCG reported through its official account on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that several units are involved in the search, including the Cutter William Trump and MH-60 helicopters from the Clearwater Air Station, which are patrolling the area.
“The search teams are looking for a 77-year-old woman who fell from the cruise ship Nieuw Statendam approximately 40 miles northeast of Sabana, Cuba,” the post stated, accompanied by images of the maritime operation.
The vessel, belonging to the company Holland America Line, has cooperated with the U.S. authorities in the search and rescue efforts.
The company has not provided further details about the incident, although it stated that its priority is to support the search efforts and assist the family of the missing passenger.
U.S. authorities are actively maintaining rescue protocols in coordination with the cruise crew and the regional maritime surveillance system.
The area where the woman went missing has complex ocean conditions, which complicates the search efforts.
The Coast Guard stated that the operation will continue as long as there is a chance of finding the passenger.
"We remain committed to the mission of search and rescue in the area," affirmed the command of the southeastern district of the USCG.
The Nieuw Statendam is one of the flagship ships of the Holland America Line fleet and frequently travels routes through the Caribbean and Central America.
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