After the U.S. Coast Guard called off the search for a missing Virginia Tech student who fell overboard on a Carnival cruise ship, the school has confirmed the student is dead.

Virginia Tech announced Wednesday afternoon, "with consent from his family," identified Cameron Smook as the 21-year-old student who accidently fell overboard Sunday while on a cruise.

Smook, of Glen Allen, Va., was a senior in the school's College of Engineering, studying mining and minerals engineering.

"The entire Virginia Tech community extends our deepest condolences and sympathies to Cameron's family and friends at this moment of tragedy and grief," Virginia Tech President Timothy D. Sands said in a statement. "My heart also goes out to our students and faculty who also feel tremendous sorrow at this loss. I know this is a strong and supportive community, and encourage us all to turn to one another for support and solace."

Smook's family also released a statement on Virginia Tech's website, saying the 21-year-old engineering student was on a cruise with "several of his friends." The Carnival Glory cruise ship left Miami Saturday and Smook was seen on surveillance footage falling overboard the next day when the ship was about five miles southwest of Abaco Island in the Bahamas.

The Coast Guard searched more than 6,000 square nautical miles with the help of a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a HC-144 search and rescue plane, NBC News reported. But they called off their search Tuesday, pending any new developments.

"We thank the Coast Guard for their outstanding service and for keeping us informed throughout this ordeal," the Smook family told NBC affiliate WSLS in a statement.

"Our family sincerely appreciates your continued prayers and support at this most difficult time," the statement on Virginia Tech's website read. "We also request privacy and ask not to be contacted by members of the media."