A 60-year-old man has died following a suspected physical altercation aboard a luxury cruise vessel shortly after its departure from Southampton. The incident occurred on the MSC Virtuosa around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday while the ship was still in British territorial waters.
In response, the ship returned to port where a 57-year-old man from Exeter was apprehended on suspicion of murder. Authorities confirmed the suspect remains in police custody as the investigation continues.
The MSC Virtuosa had embarked on a two-day voyage to Bruges, Belgium, at the time of the incident. According to reports, the deceased and the suspect were known to each other and were traveling as part of a larger group, possibly consisting of around 20 individuals. Sources indicate the victim’s family resides in the Southampton area and had arrived at the port in an attempt to gain access to the vessel before the removal of the deceased.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Gillooly, leading the investigation for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, emphasized the isolated nature of the event. “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,” he stated. Authorities also confirmed that the victim’s next of kin have been notified and are receiving support from specialist officers.
Anyone with relevant information from the cruise is encouraged to contact the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary using reference number 44250193676.
Source: Metro UK (https://metro.co.uk)
