MSC Vertuosa cruise ship 'murder': Everything we know after man, 60, killed during 'fight'
A passenger in his 60s died during a reported fight aboard the Virtuosa just hours after it left port - before the ship returned to Southampton, where Hampshire Police boarded and arrested the suspect
A 57-year-old man from Exeter is being held on suspicion of murder after a passenger in his 60s died during a reported fight aboard a cruise ship just hours after it left port.
The incident unfolded on the MSC Virtuosa, which set sail from Southampton on Saturday evening for a two-night mini cruise. An altercation is said to have broken out on board shortly after departure, resulting in the death of the victim, aged in his 60s. The ship was still in British waters when the man died, so the Virtuosa turned back and docked in Southampton, where Hampshire Police boarded and arrested the suspect. The victim's next of kin have been informed and are receiving support from specialist officers.
Police enquiries are ongoing, and passengers who may have witnessed the incident are being urged to come forward with any information. The exact circumstances of the man's death remain under investigation, but here's everything we know so far.
What happened?
A man in his 60s died following an altercation on the MSC Vertuosa at around 8.30pm on Saturday night.
Hampshire Police have launched a homicide investigation and arrested a 57-year-old man from Exeter on suspicion of murder.
The force said: "A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a man in his 60s on the MSC Virtuosa on Saturday. It was reported that at around 8.30pm on 3 May, the victim died following an altercation. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
"As part of our enquiries, a 57-year-old man from Exeter has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody at this time. Anyone with information surrounding the circumstances of the incident are urged to contact Hampshire Constabulary."
Who was arrested?
A 57-year-old man, from Exeter, Devon, has been arrested by Hampshire Police and remains in custody.
In an update released on Tuesday, the force said they are continuing to question the man following Saturday night's incident.
What ship did the man die on?
The man died on board the MSC Virtuosa. He is the second person to die on the luxury ship in the last eight months.
In October, a woman died after going overboard the 18-deck ship bound for Southampton. A large search and rescue effort was launched in the dead of the night, with spotlights used to light up the sea in a bid to find the missing passenger, witnesses told the Mirror.
The MSC Virtuosa raised the alarm at 12.55am on October 12, with the ship letting off "three loud blasts" and the captain announcing there was a "man overboard" - forcing the ship to slow down and crews to launch the major search across the north of Les Casquets rocks, west of Alderney.
A witness said at the time: "They announced that they have a missing person and their thoughts and prayers are with the family, and that they are slowing the ship and we will be delayed getting to Southampton."
Man was 'killed' during stag-do 'chaos'
Unconfirmed witness reports suggest the man may have been killed whilst on a stag do when "chaos" broke out.
Passenger Lynda Hardiman-Pearce told MailOnline there were several hen and stag do parties onboard "causing havoc". She added: "On Saturday night we were in a bar onboard and I was chatting to someone whilst waiting to be served. Apparently, the [man] was on a stag do.
"The cruise was full of hen and stag parties causing chaos. Since getting home we talked to our family, and they all said it didn't sound like any cruise they had been on."
Reports suggested the men involved in the incident were part of a party of 20.
Death was an 'isolated incident on-board'
A Senior Investigating Officer from Hampshire Police said Saturday's death was an "isolated incident", meaning it does not indicate a broader issue or pose a significant threat to the community.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Gillooly said: "We want to reassure you that this appears to be an isolated incident on-board, and we want to thank the crew for their cooperation and assistance with our enquiries."
Statement from cruise company
Staff on board the MSC Vertuosa are continuing to "cooperate fully" with authorities as the investigation continues.
A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said: 'Following an incident on board our ship, the relevant authorities were contacted, and we are cooperating fully with their investigations. We are providing full support to those impacted."
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