Man falls overboard from Tallink passenger ship, remains missing

  • 2025-01-30
  • BNS/TBT Staff

TALLINN - At 3:05 p.m. on Wednesday, a person fell overboard from the passenger ship Victoria I on the Tallinn-Helsinki route and could not be found, Postimees reports.

Tommi Karppi, director of maritime rescue at the Finnish Border Guard, told the Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat that a border guard rescue helicopter was deployed, and search efforts began near Ulkomatala, Helsinki.

Tallink Silja's communications director Marika Nöjd said that the missing person is a man, but his age and nationality are unknown. His disappearance was not noticed immediately, and the crew was informed of the incident 1.5 hours later. A search was launched, and security camera footage confirmed the fall.

Karppi noted that it remains unclear whether the man accidentally fell or jumped. He was not wearing any flotation devices.

"The water is cold, and hypothermia sets in quickly. Darkness further complicates the search," he said, adding that the chances of survival are low.

Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reports that the search ended at around 7 p.m. without success.

The Victoria I, owned by listed Estonian shipper Tallink, was en route from Tallinn to Helsinki.