Search Continues for Cruise Passenger Missing After St. Kitts Volcano Hike

A cruise passenger remains missing in St. Kitts after disappearing during a hike on Mount Liamuiga while his ship was in port.

Mount Liamuiga in St. Kitts with steep green slopes and clouds above the peak.

Wang Zyuan, a 33-year-old Chinese national, was reported missing on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, after setting out on the trail. Authorities said he was last seen at around 10 a.m. local time.

Police said Wang was hiking alone and without a guide when he became lost. At about 2 p.m. that afternoon, he contacted emergency services to say he could no longer find his way. Communication with him was later lost.

Since then, teams from several local agencies have been working across the mountain, with the latest update saying he had still not been found.

A Multi-Agency Rescue Effort Was Launched

A rescue operation began shortly after Wang’s emergency call.

The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has been working with several local agencies, including the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, Fire and Rescue Department, and National Emergency Management Agency.

In its first update, the force said it was “actively conducting a search and rescue operation” in the Mount Liamuiga mountain range.

As the operation expanded, more groups joined the effort. A later local update said officers from the Police Training School, the Forest Unit, the Red Cross, and the Ross University K9 Unit had also been involved.

Crews worked into the evening on May 27 and returned the next morning. Police said teams were “combing the hillside” as they moved up toward the crater area.

Police said the search was paused for the evening on May 28 and would resume the next morning, with cell tower data expected to help guide crews.

By May 31, local reports said the operation had entered its fourth day. The latest update stated: “Mr Wang has not yet been located.”

Police also said crews “remain committed to finding Mr. Wang.”

Police Shared Wang Zyuan’s Description

The missing person notice shared by police identifies Wang Zyuan as a Chinese male national born on August 29, 1992.

Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force missing person notice for Wang Zyuan, 33, last seen on the Mount Liamuiga hiking trail in St. Kitts.

Police said he was “travelling alone and without a guide” at the time of his disappearance.

He was reported to be wearing black clothing and red shoes when he was last seen on May 27.

That detail may prove important, especially for anyone who was near the Mount Liamuiga trail that day or took photos and videos in the area during the cruise port call.

Police have asked anyone with information that could help locate Wang to contact emergency services or the nearest police station.

Volunteers Were Asked to Help

As the operation widened, police asked for help from members of the public who could assist safely.

That request was aimed at experienced hikers, farmers, and physically capable volunteers familiar with rough outdoor conditions. Volunteers were asked to report to the staging area near the base of the Newton Ground Trail.

Anyone with information that may help locate Wang was also asked to call emergency services or contact the nearest police station.

At this stage, no official deadline has been announced for ending the effort.

Wang’s Cruise Ship Has Not Been Officially Confirmed

Police have not publicly named the cruise ship Wang was traveling on, or confirmed whether he was a passenger or crew member.

Cruise schedules show Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas being listed as the only cruise ship visiting Basseterre on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. That is why several cruise outlets have linked Wang to that sailing, but the connection has not been officially confirmed by police or Royal Caribbean.

The 'Rhapsody of the Seas' cruise ship from Royal Caribbean International elegantly navigates the calm blue waters with a backdrop of distant mountains under a clear sky. The vessel's white exterior, multiple decks with balconies, and distinctive blue and white funnel are visible, conveying a sense of adventure and luxury travel at sea.

The May 23 Rhapsody of the Seas itinerary listed Basseterre, St. Kitts as one of its port calls before the ship continued on to St. Croix and returned to San Juan.

For that reason, it’s safest to describe Rhapsody of the Seas as the ship believed to be connected to the case, rather than stating it as confirmed fact.

The ship’s departure has also drawn attention from cruise watchers. In cases where a guest goes missing ashore and local emergency services take over, cruise ships often continue their itineraries because of port schedules, crew rules, and the logistics of moving thousands of people.

That doesn’t make the situation any less worrying. It just explains why a ship may leave while local responders continue the work ashore.

Mount Liamuiga Can be a Tough Hike

Mount Liamuiga is a popular excursion-style hike, but it has a reputation for being challenging.

The dormant volcano rises to about 3,793 feet, and the route includes rainforest terrain, steep slopes, uneven ground, and areas where hikers may need to use roots for support.

That kind of trail can be much harder than it looks in vacation photos. Cruise passengers often only have a limited amount of time in port, which can add pressure to keep moving even when the climb is more tiring than expected.

Weather can also change the conditions quickly. A dry path in the morning can turn slick after rain, and thick tree cover can make it easier to lose track of the route.

That’s why officials have urged anyone planning to hike in St. Kitts and Nevis to use a registered guide, tell someone their planned route, and make sure their phone is fully charged.