A woman has died after she went overboard from a cruise ship near the Channel Islands, say rescue services.

An alert was sent out at about 02:00 BST for a search for the woman in her 20s north of Les Casquets rocks, west of Alderney.

The French search and rescue service said the casualty from the MSC Virtuosa was winched from the sea by a helicopter crew and was later pronounced dead by doctors.

One passenger told the BBC an alarm rang three times to signal a person had gone overboard.

The passenger, who only wanted to be called Neil, said those on board were asked to pray for their fellow passenger.

"I went up along with lots of other passengers to have a look," he said.

"About half an hour later the cruise director told us they were looking for a missing passenger so we would be delayed into Southampton."

The ship's owner MSC Cruises said in a statement: "A guest on board MSC Virtuosa went overboard on 12 October, while the ship was sailing to Southampton.

"The body was later recovered with the involvement of the authorities.

"We are deeply saddened by this tragic event, and our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.

"Out of respect for their privacy, we will not be providing further details."

The investigation into the death is being led by French police.

A plane from Channel Islands Air Search was sent to the scene from Guernsey, along with lifeboat crews from Alderney and France and the French helicopter crew based near Cherbourg.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said officers were assisting with inquiries.

"It has been reported that the woman went overboard the MSC Virtuosa during the early hours... and subsequently died," the force said.

The Maltese-flagged cruise ship is 331m (1,086ft) long and 43m (141ft) wide, according to MarineTraffic, external, with accommodation for up to 6,334 passengers and 1,704 crew.

The vessel is 19 decks tall, according to MSC, external, and was built in France in 2020.

It is currently berthed at Southampton docks, having arrived at about 08:00 from Cartagena Port in Spain.

History
Malta
Name	MSC Virtuosa
Owner	MSC Cruises
Operator	MSC Cruises
Port of registry	Valletta,  Malta
Ordered	1 February 2016
Builder	Chantiers de l’Atlantique
Cost	€800 million (2016)
Yard number	H34
Laid down	27 February 2019
Launched	29 November 2019
Sponsored by	Sophia Loren
Christened	27 November 2021
Acquired	1 February 2021
In service	2021–present
Identification	Call sign: 9HA5209 IMO number: 9803625 MMSI number: 215610000
General characteristics
Class and type	Meraviglia Plus-class cruise ship
Tonnage	181,541 GT
Length	331.43 m (1,087.4 ft)
Beam	43 m (141.1 ft) (moulded) 50 m (164.0 ft) (max)
Height	64.9 m (213 ft)
Decks	16
Speed	22.3 kt (21,900 long tons; 24,600 short tons)
Capacity	4,842 (double occupancy) 6,334 (maximum capacity)
Crew	1,704