Chinese woman, 32, goes missing on birthday Mediterranean cruise during 1st solo trip

A 32-year-old Chinese woman has gone missing after disappearing during a Mediterranean cruise in Europe, with authorities from three countries now involved in investigations.

The woman, identified as Qin Dong, was travelling alone aboard the AIDAluna cruise ship when she vanished under unclear circumstances in mid-December, according to multiple media reports.

Boarded ship in Spain

Dong boarded the cruise ship in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, before noon on Dec. 10, for a 5-night Mediterranean itinerary that included stops in Marseille, Palamos, and Barcelona, according to U.S. cruise news outlet CruiseHive, but went missing shortly after.

Ship records indicate that Dong did not formally disembark when the vessel docked in Marseille on Dec. 12.

However, Dong was last known to have contacted a friend or colleague at approximately 7:48 pm on that evening, according to media outlet hk01.com, citing The Beijing News.

This was about two hours after the ship had departed the French port, suggesting she was still on board at the time.

Disappearance discovered

Friends reportedly became concerned after Dong failed to return to work in Germany as scheduled on Dec. 17.

Dong had taken approved annual leave from Dec. 10 to 15, but did not show up for work after that and could not be reached for several days, reported Sina News.

German police later conducted a safety check at her residence, after a request from Dong’s friends, but found it empty and observed no signs of suspicious activity.

Only purchased orange juice and no disembarkation record

Cruise officials have confirmed that Dong never formally disembarked during the voyage.

Transaction records show that she made only one purchase during her time on the ship around 7:16pm, a single glass of orange juice at a restaurant onboard called the “French Kiss” on Dec. 10.

There were no emergency alerts raised onboard, and no search-and-rescue operations were initiated during the cruise.

It remains unclear whether Dong may have fallen overboard.

The cruise ship returned to Mallorca on Dec. 15 with Dong missing, after which the incident was reported to authorities.

Three countries involved

French authorities were notified as the disappearance occurred in waters under French jurisdiction, while German authorities became involved as AIDA Cruises is a German cruise line, and Dong was a long-term resident of Germany.

Chinese authorities have also joined the investigation as well due to Dong’s nationality, with staff from the Chinese Embassy in Germany confirming they are following up on the case.

Family appeals for help

Dong’s mother told Sina News that Dec. 10, the day her daughter boarded the cruise, was also her 32nd birthday and her first solo overseas trip.

She said, as reported by hk01.com:

“My heart is absolutely filled with anxiety. We’re completely in the dark… We want to find her as soon as possible."

Dong's mother also added that the family is currently applying for emergency visas to travel to Europe to search for her.

She described her daughter as introverted but independent, making decisions such as pursuing further studies in Germany on her own.

Dong then subsequently remained in Germany, working as a nurse at a local medical institution.

Nevertheless, Dong’s mother said she did not believe her daughter would have taken her own life, according to Jimu News.

“These past few days have been agonizing for us; we feel utterly drained."

Friends and family have since issued missing person alerts on social media, appealing to anyone who may have seen or interacted with Dong, particularly around the port of Marseille, to come forward with information.

Top images from Jimu News, Sinchew