澳洲近日發生令人震驚的悲劇，一名80歲高齡的女性旅客在參加郵輪行程時，不幸被遺留在偏遠的海島上，最終在隔日被發現身亡。事件發生在著名的大堡礁地區蜥蜴島（Lizard Island），這起疏忽造成的死亡事故目前已引起澳大利亞海事安全局（AMSA）及多個政府部門的聯合調查。

根據澳洲媒體報導，事發時間為10月25日，這名女子當時正搭乘「珊瑚冒險家號」（Coral Adventurer）郵輪，進行一趟為期60天、橫跨澳大利亞北部沿海的豪華航程。該行程費用高達數萬美元，屬於高端探索型郵輪旅遊，目的地包括多個偏遠島嶼與自然保護區。當天郵輪停靠於昆士蘭州凱恩斯以北約250公里的蜥蜴島，乘客們下船進行導覽與徒步活動。

據報導，這名80歲女子在徒步過程中因體力不支，曾脫離團隊，獨自留在步道旁休息。其餘旅客與導遊在行程結束後返回郵輪，未及時察覺她尚未登船。隨後，「珊瑚冒險家號」依照既定航程於日落時分啟航離開蜥蜴島。然而，直到船員在幾個小時後清點人數時，才驚覺少一名乘客。船隻立即掉頭返回該島並展開搜索，但為時已晚。

當晚，一名目擊者特雷西·艾里斯（Tracey Ayliss）當時正在蜥蜴島附近航行，她向媒體透露，約在午夜時分看到一架直升機懸停於島上空，使用強光探照燈搜尋步行道，同時約有七名救援人員手持火把進入島上協助搜尋。整夜的搜救未果，直到翌日清晨，直升機再度返航，終於發現了該名女子的遺體。

澳大利亞海事安全局（AMSA）在事件曝光後發表聲明，表示已展開正式調查，並將於「珊瑚冒險家號」本週停靠達爾文（Darwin）時與船員面談。AMSA發言人強調，他們會與其他政府部門及旅遊監管單位合作，全面審視此次事件的安全漏洞，並重申「乘客與船員的安全是首要考量」。

這起事件震驚了澳洲旅遊界與民眾。許多人質疑，作為一艘高端郵輪，船公司應有完善的乘客登船管理機制與安全確認程序，怎會在離島啟航前未能確認所有乘客是否回船。澳洲媒體指出，根據行業慣例，每次登島活動後，船員應進行點名核對，若此程序疏忽，將涉及嚴重的安全管理失誤。目前，當局仍在釐清該名女子的死因，尚不確定她是否因脫水、體力耗竭或意外跌倒而喪生。專家指出，蜥蜴島雖以美麗海灘和自然景觀聞名，但氣候酷熱、地形崎嶇，對高齡者而言相當具挑戰性。

這場原本夢幻的郵輪之旅，如今卻演變成悲劇。事件不僅讓人痛心，也再度提醒各地旅遊業者與遊客——在追求冒險與風景的同時，安全永遠不應被忽視。

A tragic incident recently occurred off the coast of Australia, when an 80-year-old woman was left behind on Lizard Island, part of the Great Barrier Reef, during a cruise excursion — and was found dead the following morning. The case has sparked widespread concern and prompted an official investigation by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and other government agencies.

According to local reports, the incident took place on October 25. The elderly passenger was traveling aboard the Coral Adventurer, a luxury expedition cruise ship offering a 60-day voyage around northern Australia. Tickets for the trip cost tens of thousands of dollars, catering to travelers seeking an exclusive, nature-focused experience. On the day of the tragedy, the ship had docked at Lizard Island, located about 250 kilometers north of Cairns, where passengers disembarked for a guided hike.

During the hike, the woman reportedly became tired and decided to separate from the group to rest along the trail. When the tour concluded, the rest of the passengers and guides returned to the ship — unaware that she had not come back. Following the planned itinerary, the Coral Adventurer departed the island at sunset. Several hours later, the crew conducted a headcount and discovered that one passenger was missing. The ship immediately turned around and returned to Lizard Island to search for her.

Witness Tracey Ayliss, who was sailing nearby, told local media that around midnight she saw a helicopter hovering over the island, using a powerful spotlight to scan the walking trails, while about seven rescuers carrying torches entered the island to assist in the search. Despite their efforts, the woman was not found overnight. The following morning, the search helicopter returned and discovered her body.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) released a statement confirming that an investigation was underway. Officials plan to interview the crew when the Coral Adventurer docks in Darwin later this week. An AMSA spokesperson emphasized that the agency takes passenger and crew safety on commercial vessels “very seriously” and will work with other authorities to determine how the tragedy occurred.

The incident has drawn strong public criticism and raised serious questions about the cruise operator’s safety and accountability procedures. Onboard headcounts are standard industry practice after every shore excursion, and failing to notice a missing passenger before departure could constitute a significant breach of protocol.

The exact cause of the woman’s death has not yet been confirmed. Authorities are investigating whether she may have collapsed due to exhaustion, dehydration, or suffered an accidental fall. Experts note that while Lizard Island is known for its breathtaking beauty and pristine beaches, it also features rugged terrain and hot, humid conditions that can be particularly challenging for elderly visitors.

What was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime luxury adventure has ended in heartbreak. The tragedy serves as a somber reminder that, no matter how idyllic the destination, safety and vigilance must always come first in travel.