Fears are growing for a Dundee man believed to have gone overboard on a cruise ship.
Liam Jones, 23, was travelling on board the MSC Euribia through several European countries over the weekend.
The operator of the ship has confirmed that on Saturday, a passenger fell overboard as the liner travelled between Germany and the Netherlands.
Relatives and friends of Liam have since spoken to The Courier, saying they have been given limited information about the incident, with the whereabouts of the former Grove Academy pupil unknown.
Liam Jones: Family and friends ‘devastated’ amid cruise ship fears
Liam’s brother William Neil, 23, says Police Scotland officers informed him about the incident at his home in Glasgow on Thursday night.
William said: “Liam’s family and friends are devastated by this news.
“We are really disappointed with MSC on their lack of communication over this.
“His wife, family and friends are still to find out how this happened.”
Wife Sophia, 20, says she has also struggled to get information.
She said: “I was told Liam had been in an accident or had gone missing.
“I’m extremely worried about what’s happened and I’ve been desperately trying to seek information.
“Liam’s friends and family in Scotland are also trying to find out what on Earth has actually happened.
“The horrible situation is not knowing exactly what has happened.
“Police Scotland has informed me officers in Germany are looking at the case.”
‘We’ve been unable to get any accurate information’
Liam’s childhood friend Jay Forbes, 23, has also been trying to find out what happened.
He says he has been attempting to contact other passengers on board the ship via social media.
He said: “We’ve been unable to get any accurate information as to what has happened to Liam.
“We are all just extremely worried and desperate for information.”
MSC Cruises ‘deeply saddened’ as passenger goes overboard from Euribia ship
A spokeswoman for MSC Cruises told The Courier: “A passenger on board MSC Euribia went overboard on March 16 as the ship was sailing to Hamburg.
“This was reported to the authorities.
“The police in Southampton boarded the vessel today and investigated on behalf of the coroner.
“We are deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time.
“Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will refrain from disclosing any additional information.”
A spokesperson for the UK Government’s Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British national following an incident in the Netherlands and are in contact with the local authorities.
The German Maritime Search and Rescue Service says it was informed of the incident but the area was not in its operating radius, with authorities from the UK and France involved instead.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “Officers boarded the vessel on Friday (22 March) following a report that a man had gone overboard.
“The man’s family are aware and police are investigating this on behalf of the coroner.”
