Crew member goes missing at sea during cruise ahead of return to the UK

A crew member has been reported missing at sea on an around the world cruise.

The crew members went missing from the Ambassador Cruise Line's Ambassador ship.

The massive 1,400 guest cruise ship was making its way back from Lisbon, Portugal, to the UK, when one crew member was reported missing, according to Sky News.

Ambience had turned back to 'retrace her route to the ship's position when the crew member was last seen,' the outlet said citing a statement from the British cruise line.

But the ship has since been 'released by coastguard authorities from the search' and it is making its 'original course back to the UK,' the company said.

The missing crew member is reportedly from India and they are thought to have gone missing 'shortly after breakfast' on Friday when the cruise was off Cape Finisterre on the Spanish coast, the statement said.

A thorough ship-wide searchers were carried out for the missing person, who has not been named, Sky News said.

The local coastguard was also informed.

Ambassador told the outlet in a statement: 'Our immediate priority is to provide full support to all crew members closely affected by this incident.

'Guests onboard have been kept informed throughout the day and have been advised of recent developments.

'Ambassador remains committed to the safety and wellbeing of all our crew and guests. We are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of our colleague at this difficult time.'

The cruise ship set off for the 120-day voyage on January 6 from Tilbury, Essex.

It was scheduled to arrive in the UK at 9am on Sunday, but it will be delayed until the evening, the UK-based company said.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE : Brits banned from going into the sea at holiday hotspot after shark spotted in water

MORE : British man, 40, collapses and dies while walking dog on Spanish beach

MORE : This foodie paradise has been crowned Spain's best coastal spot

Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.