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A woman has died after going overboard from a cruise ship near Alderney.
Channel Islands Air Search were called out early on Saturday to assist the French coastguard in the search for the casualty.
The woman had been onboard the MSC Virtuosa vessel which was on its way to Southampton.
The French coastguard received a distress message shortly after midnight on Saturday.
A French navy helicopter and RNLI lifeboat from Alderney also took part in the search.
The woman was located in the water at around 02:30.
She was hoisted onto the French helicopter and taken to a rescue centre in France, where a medical team confirmed her death.
A MSC Cruises spokesperson said: "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."
Police officers from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary were deployed to assist with enquiries relating to the incident when the cruise ship arrived in Southampton.
In a statement on Saturday, the police force said: "It has been reported that the woman went overboard the MSC Virtuosa during the early hours of this morning and subsequently died.
"The investigation is not being managed by UK authorities."
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Pictured top: A French navy helicopter, Channel Islands Air Search and RNLI lifeboat from Alderney assisted in the search for the casualty. ( Channel Islands Air Search)
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