Coast Guard searches for passenger missing from cruise ship

A SEARCH is underway for a passenger seen in surveillance footage climbing up a deck railing before plunging backwards into the Gulf of Mexico.

A SEARCH is continuing for a woman who fell from a cruise ship on Friday.

The incident happened at approximately 2am on board the Carnival Liberty on Friday, during a four-day voyage from Galveston, Texas, to Mexico.

Surveillance footage showed 33-year-old Samantha Broberg climbing up on a deck railing on the 10th floor before plunging backwards into the Gulf of Mexico.

“Based on the video analysis, we can confirm that it appears she climbed up and sat on a deck railing and subsequently fell backwards,” Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer De La Cruz told ABC News.

Following her disappearance a thorough search of the ship was conducted, passenger Linda Lopez said.

“They wanted to check every single room to make sure that every guest was in their room,” she said. “They were just keeping us updated like, ‘We have not found her’. People are talking about it everywhere. They’re very sad.”

A US Coast Guard aircraft was dispatched from Alabama to search the area about 300km southeast of Galveston.

A Carnival spokesperson said: “Authorities were notified including the US Coast Guard which has been conducting search and rescue efforts in the area the ship was located when the individual was last seen.

“Carnival’s CareTeam is providing support to the guest’s travelling companions and family. We are keeping our guest and her loved ones in our thoughts during this difficult time.”

The search continues. Picture: Facebook

— With wires.