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A extended voyage around the Land Down Under is being halted days after the tragic passing of an elderly woman who was left behind by the vessel on a isolated tropical isle.

The passenger had been walking on the remote island with fellow passengers from the cruise ship, but broke off from the group for a break. The liner sailed away leaving her and returned after some time after the ship staff became aware the lady was unaccounted for.

An extensive search operation located her remains the following day.

Investigative bodies are investigating the event, alongside police and the state coroner.

The CEO of the shipping company stated that travelers and staff on the vessel were told that the continuation of the cruise had been called off due to the "tragic passing and previous engine troubles".

Via official communication, he mentioned that passengers would be issued a full refund, and said the company was working "to organize the return journeys of the passengers via private aircraft".

Regulatory bodies also published an updated communication, and said they had "provided a order to the Master" preventing any additional guests from entering the liner.

The spokesperson said that they would attend the ship in the Australian city upon its arrival.

Timeline of Incidents

The vessel originally sailed from the coastal city on the 24th of October, and was just two days into the voyage at the moment of the elderly woman's passing. The remote island was the first stop on the voyage.

Guests on the ship - who usually pay substantial amounts of money to take part in the voyage - were transported there for a daily excursion with the choice of walking or snorkeling.

Next of Kin Statement

The offspring of the deceased woman said that her loved ones was "surprised and distressed that the ship left the island after an organised tour without my mother".

Through her comments, she characterized her parent as an "vigorous 80-year-old" who was a participant of a walking organization.

"From the little facts we have been told, it appears that there was a lapse of care and ordinary reasoning," she said.

She further stated that she desired the investigation would be able to pinpoint what "the organization should have performed that might have protected Mother's existence".

"We understand from the police that it was a exceptionally warm period, and mother fell ill on the hill climb," she revealed.

"She was asked her to return, unescorted. Then the vessel departed, apparently without doing a passenger count.

"At some stage in that sequence, or soon after, mum died, alone."

Company Response

Via official communication, the Chief Executive confirmed that the company was "working closely with investigators to aid their inquiry".

He mentioned that the organization was "very regretful that this has happened" and had offered its full support to the family.

Shipping Sector Procedures

The vessel serves up to 120 guests with nearly fifty crew, according to official details. It was specially constructed to reach isolated areas of Australia's shoreline and is outfitted with "auxiliary vessels" - small boats used to transport passengers on land visits.

Occurrences such as this are rare, and liners have systems to document which individuals are embarking or leaving, according to travel authorities.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard just isn't an option," a specialist stated.

Cruise lines take these procedures extremely carefully and have "sophisticated systems in place to prevent such incidents from occurring," the expert added.

"This appears to be most likely a stunning - and unfortunate - single occurrence."