SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – An elderly Vietnamese-American couple disappeared during a Caribbean cruise and they probably fell overboard, officials said Monday.

The 71-year-old man and 67-year-old woman aboard the Carnival Destiny ship disappeared sometime Thursday between the islands of Barbados and Aruba, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Omar Barrera said.

“The only logical conclusion it that they somehow fell overboard,” Barrera said.

Investigators found a few of the couple’s belongings, including a purse and sandals, out in the open on the third floor of the ship, Barrera said. There were no signs that it was a case of suicide, because the couple was reportedly in good health and did not appear to have any serious personal problems, he said, citing interviews with relatives.

Two Coast Guard planes conducted an unsuccessful search for the missing couple and the Coast Guard asked passing ships to be on the lookout.

The ship canceled its visit to Aruba in order to join the search and later went to St. Maarten instead, the company said. The cruise ended on schedule in San Juan on Sunday.

Carnival Cruise Lines spokesman Vance Gulliksen confirmed the couple’s disappearance, but could not provide further details. Authorities did not identify the couple or say where they lived.


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