Man Dies After Fight With Fellow Passenger Onboard Cruise Ship

A 57-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 60-year-old passenger died during a fight onboard the cruise ship MSC Virtuosa, just hours after it departed Southampton for a weekend voyage to Belgium.

The ship left Southampton at 6:00 pm BST on Saturday, May 3, for a two-night round trip to Bruges.

Many passengers were onboard for bachelor and bachelorette parties, and according to a witness who spoke with UK media, the atmosphere became loud and rowdy not long after the ship set sail.

Around 8:30 p.m., just over two hours into the voyage, an altercation broke out between two passengers believed to be part of the same group.

The victim, a 60-year-old man from West Sussex, collapsed at the scene. Witnesses on board rushed to help and performed CPR, but he could not be revived and was declared dead.

The man arrested, is from Exeter, Devon. Police confirmed that he was taken into custody shortly after the incident and held for questioning. On Tuesday afternoon, he was released on bail while investigations continue.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed that the victim’s next of kin have been informed and are receiving support from specialist officers.

The police also launched a murder investigation and appealed to any passengers or crew who may have witnessed the incident to come forward with information, quoting reference number 44250193676.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Gillooly, who is leading the investigation, said it appeared to be an isolated event and expressed appreciation for the cooperation shown by the ship’s crew. He also urged anyone who might have seen or heard anything that could assist the investigation to contact the authorities.

The MSC Virtuosa continued its journey after the incident and docked back in Southampton at around 6:00 a.m. on Monday. Police officers were seen waiting at the quayside as the ship returned. Per reports, the family members of the deceased were also present and demanded the release of his body.

In a statement, MSC Cruises said the relevant authorities were immediately informed after the incident and that the company is cooperating fully with the investigation.

They also expressed that they are offering complete support to those impacted and extended their thoughts to the victim’s family and friends during this difficult time.

The MSC Virtuosa, one of the largest ships in the MSC fleet with a capacity of up to 6,334 guests, is also recognised for its appearance in the Channel 5 crime drama The Good Ship Murder, featuring Shayne Ward and Catherine Tyldesley.

In a similar incident in October 2024, a woman died after falling overboard while the cruise liner was sailing near the Channel Islands. Authorities are continuing their investigation and have urged anyone with any information to get in touch by calling 101.

References: BBC, perthnow

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