British passenger is found dead on cruise ship near Crete

By SABRINA PENTY, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 08:04, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 08:28, 15 July 2026 A British tourist has been found dead on a cruise ship off the coast of Crete. The 79-year-old man was found unresponsive on the deck of the ship and was given first aid, but was eventually rushed to the hospital, where he died on Tuesday morning.  The incident unfolded as the cruise was sailing near Crete, forcing the vessel to dock on the Greek island,  according to the local coast guard.  The Chania Port Authority is conducting the preliminary investigation into the Briton's death and has ordered an autopsy to determine his cause of death.  It is currently unclear whether the man was on the cruise alone or with family.  The Daily Mail has approached the Foreign Office for comment.  The tragedy comes after a British man died on a cruise ship travelling through Corfu earlier this month.  The 67-year-old passed away while on board the vessel, which was 'flying the Maltese flag' in the port of the Greek Island.  A British tourist has been found dead on a cruise ship off the coast of Crete. (File image) The Port Authority said in a statement: 'In the morning hours today, the Corfu Port Authority was informed of the death of a 67-year-old foreign passenger (British citizen) on a cruise ship (C/Z) flying the Maltese flag in the port of Corfu. 'The body was transferred to the Corfu General Hospital for an autopsy. 'A preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Corfu Central Port Authority.'  Both incidents in Greece also come just two months after cruise ship passengers were stunned to learn their captain had tragically died in the middle of their 19-day voyage in Asia. Devastation ensued upon Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess ship in May when guests received a letter breaking the news of Captain Michele Bartolomei's sudden death. The 52-year-old, who lived in Canada, died from a medical emergency and was discovered while the ship was docked in Keelung, Taiwan. Before passengers were officially notified, an announcement blared over the boat's loud speaker, urging the medical team to respond to an emergency, according to Crew Center. Holidaymakers were unnerved by the message, but the real shock came when they learned it was about the man leading the voyage. 'We are deeply saddened by the passing of Captain Michele Bartolomei, a beloved member of the Princess Cruises family whose career at sea spanned more than 30 years,' Princess Cruises shared in a heartfelt message. In an attempt to ease concerns, the cruise company said in its letter to passengers 'that our commitment to your safety and the smooth operation of this voyage remains our utmost priority.' Cruise ships have onboard morgues for dead bodied to be stored if someone dies at sea, The New York Times reported. The area is typically a stainless steel chilled room on a cruise ship's lowest deck. They generally are designed to fit two to 10 corpses. This is a breaking news story, more to follow.