EXCLUSIVE Luxury cruise ship 'murder': Man, 60, dies after 'fight broke out between group of holidaymakers' onboard liner as 57-year-old is arrested
A murder investigation has been launched after a 60-year-old man died aboard a luxury cruise ship departing from Southampton.
MSC Virtuosa left on Saturday evening for a two-night cruise to Bruges but a fight allegedly broke out just hours into the journey, with the man being pronounced dead at the scene.
A 57-year-old man from Exeter, who is thought to have been friends with the deceased, has since been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
The man's body is believed to have been kept aboard the ship until this morning when the ship docked back in the Horizon terminal in Hampshire. He was from Sussex.
A source onboard the ship told MailOnline: 'There was a big police presence when we docked in Southampton this morning.
'What apparently happened is the man was killed on board.
'Three family members, two women who might be his daughters, and the son managed to get on to the quayside to try and gain entry on the ship. The family are demanding they release the body.'
The luxury cruise vessel (pictured in May 2021) is at the centre of a new police investigation
According to a passenger onboard, the trip was a 'booze cruise' to Bruges.
The men involved in the incident were said to be among a party of 20.
According to the Maritime Injury Guide, most large cruise ships will have a morgue on board and which typically has space for between three to six bodies.
Hampshire Police told MailOnline a homicide investigation was launched following the death of the man aboard the MSC Virtuosa in British waters.
The ship left Southampton at 6pm on Saturday with the reports being made at around 8.30pm that a man, 60, had died following an altercation.
His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
Det Chief Insp Matt Gillooly, the senior investigating officer, said: 'We want to reassure you that this appears to be an isolated incident onboard, and we want to thank the crew for their cooperation and assistance with our enquiries.
'If anyone who was onboard has information that could assist, please contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary on 101 with reference 44250193676.'
A spokesperson for MSC Virtuosa said: 'Following an incident on board our ship, the relevant authorities were contacted, and we are co-operating fully with their investigations. We are providing full support to those impacted.'
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