A family cruise trip turned into a tragic mystery on March 16 when 23-year-old social work student from Scotland, Liam Jones, fell overboard and disappeared from the MSC Euribia.
The cruise, which started in Southampton, England, was a seven-day voyage across Europe, stopping in Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. However, this once joyous journey came to an abrupt end for the Jones family.
Jones’ last known whereabouts were confirmed by his sister, after he had messaged his wife, Sophia Mcphee, indicating that he felt seasick. This was the last communication from Jones, leaving his loved ones with a slew of unanswered questions. “I feel so lost. He’s just … gone,” Mcphee, 20, who was not on the cruise, told the Daily Record, expressing the deep pain of losing her spouse. “I’m never going to see him again. I’m devastated.”
Jones and Mcphee bid their final goodbye in person on March 14 as he departed from Dundee for Glasgow to join the family cruise. Left alone, Mcphee recounted her struggle to get information from MSC Cruises, the company operating the Euribia. Despite her multiple attempts, the company remained silent, amplifying her distress over the uncertainty of her husband’s whereabouts.
Following the incident, an MSC Cruises spokesperson confirmed that a passenger had fallen overboard on March 16 while en route to Hamburg. The incident was immediately reported to the relevant authorities. The police in Southampton, acting on behalf of the coroner, initiated an investigation on board to unravel the sequence of events leading to Jones’ disappearance. “We are deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time,” the spokesperson said, acknowledging the severity of the situation.
The MSC Euribia, a ship capable of carrying over 6,327 passengers and measuring over 1,092 feet long, became the focus of an intricate investigation involving multiple legal jurisdictions. Hampshire Constabulary took over the investigation upon the ship’s return to the UK. The incident has raised questions about the cruise line’s safety record, given the infrequent but notable instances of passengers going overboard, as reported by Business Insider.
Jones’ sister, Paula Devlin, remembered him as “the purest soul and best friend a sister could ask for,” underscoring the deep personal loss suffered by those close to Jones. Amid the formal procedures and responses to the incident, her words serve as a stark reminder of the human loss at the center of this tragic event.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, along with French authorities, due to the incident occurring in French waters, are overseeing the ongoing investigations. The Jones family is seeking answers, with the situation complicated by multiple jurisdictions involved and the intricate nature of maritime investigations.
In the interim, the Jones family, backed by the larger community, is in a state of mourning and uncertainty. The lack of concrete information and the slow progress of official investigations have added to their despair. This ordeal highlights the unpredictable nature of life and the profound effects of sudden loss.
The MSC Euribia continues its operations, marked by this tragic event. The cruise line has opted to respect the family’s privacy and refrained from making further public comments. The Northern Europe tour is priced at $950 per person, as listed on the company’s website. However, for Sophia Mcphee and the Jones family, the real cost of this journey is incalculable.
