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A two-month cruise around the Land Down Under has been cancelled following the tragic passing of an elderly woman who was abandoned by the vessel on a distant coastal location.

The passenger had been walking on Lizard Island with other travelers from the Coral Adventurer, but parted ways from the excursion for a break. The liner left without her and came back several hours later after the personnel realised the woman was unaccounted for.

An extensive search operation found her remains the subsequent day.

Authorities are looking into the incident, in coordination with law enforcement and the official investigator.

Head of the cruise operator said that travelers and crew on the Coral Adventurer were told that the continuation of the voyage had been terminated due to the "unfortunate death and previous mechanical issues".

In a statement, he mentioned that travelers would be provided a complete reimbursement, and said the company was working "to coordinate the travel back of the travelers via chartered flights".

Officials also issued an updated communication, and said they had "issued a order to the Captain" preventing any further travelers from getting on the ship.

The spokesperson said that they would attend the vessel in the port city upon its return.

Timeline of Events

The liner originally sailed from the coastal city on the 24th of October, and was just two days into the expedition at the point of the elderly woman's death. Lizard Island was the opening port on the voyage.

Guests on board - who usually pay large sums of dollars to join the expedition - were transported there for a day trip with the option of trekking or underwater exploration.

Next of Kin Statement

The child of the elderly passenger said that her family was "shocked and grieved that the vessel left the location after an planned outing without my mother".

In her statement, she characterized her mum as an "vigorous octogenarian" who was a participant of a hiking group.

"Based on limited information we have been told, it appears that there was a lapse of responsibility and ordinary reasoning," she said.

She further stated that she wished the investigation would be able to determine what "the operator should have done that might have protected Mum's being".

"Based on information from the police that it was a very hot day, and mum became unwell on the hill climb," she revealed.

"Officials suggested her to head down, alone. Then the boat sailed away, reportedly without performing a roll call.

"At a certain moment in that process, or soon after, she succumbed, alone."

Operator Position

Through an announcement, the CEO affirmed that the organization was "collaborating extensively with investigators to assist their inquiry".

He said that the company was "extremely apologetic that this has transpired" and had extended its complete assistance to the family.

Shipping Sector Practices

The ship caters for up to a hundred twenty guests with 46 staff, according to company data. It was specifically designed to enter distant locations of the nation's coast and is outfitted with "small boats" - compact vessels used to transport travelers on shore trips.

Events of this nature are uncommon, and liners have protocols to track which travelers are embarking or disembarking, according to maritime specialists.

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

Vessel operators take these methods extremely carefully and have "clever tech in place to prevent such incidents from happening," the authority continued.

"This seems to be most likely a stunning - and tragic - single occurrence."