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One extended cruise around Australia is being halted days after the death of an elderly female passenger who was left behind by the cruise liner on a remote tropical isle.

The elderly woman had been trekking on the remote island with fellow passengers from the cruise ship, but separated from the party for a rest. The ship sailed away leaving her and went back several hours later after the crew realised the woman was missing.

A major rescue mission located her remains the subsequent day.

Officials are examining the event, in coordination with law enforcement and the official investigator.

Head of the shipping company announced that guests and staff on the vessel were informed that the continuation of the journey had been terminated due to the "sad loss and earlier mechanical issues".

Via official communication, he further stated that travelers would be given a total repayment, and said the operator was working "to arrange the travel back of the passengers via specially arranged planes".

Officials also issued an updated statement, and said they had "delivered a notice to the Master" prohibiting any new passengers from getting on the ship.

The spokesperson said that they would visit the vessel in Cairns upon its coming back.

Chronology of Occurrences

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

Travelers on board - who typically pay large sums of money to participate in the expedition - were transported there for a shore visit with the possibility of hiking or snorkeling.

Relatives Response

The daughter of the elderly passenger said that her loved ones was "surprised and distressed that the ship left the location after an scheduled tour without my parent".

Through her comments, she portrayed her mum as an "energetic octogenarian" who was a participant of a walking organization.

"According to scant facts we have been told, it looks that there was a breakdown of attention and basic judgment," she stated.

She added that she desired the inquiry would be able to determine what "the company should have performed that might have saved Mother's being".

"According to reports from the police that it was a very hot day, and mother became unwell on the hill climb," she explained.

"Officials suggested her to return, alone. Then the boat departed, apparently without performing a passenger count.

"At some stage in that sequence, or not long after, mother died, by herself."

Organization Reaction

Through an announcement, the CEO verified that the operator was "collaborating extensively with officials to assist their investigation".

He said that the company was "very regretful that this has occurred" and had offered its total backing to the family.

Shipping Sector Standards

The vessel accommodates up to 120 travelers with forty-six staff, according to company data. It was specifically designed to enter distant regions of the Australian coast and is fitted with "small boats" - compact vessels used to transport individuals on shore trips.

Events such as this are uncommon, and liners have systems to track which passengers are boarding or disembarking, according to maritime specialists.

"Going ashore secretly or [back] onboard really isn't an choice," one expert commented.

Cruise lines take these methods extremely carefully and have "clever tech in place to prevent such occurrences from happening," the authority continued.

"This appears to be presumably a shocking - and tragic - isolated incident."