UPDATE 3: Cruise passengers main victims of Tunis terrorist attacks

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 18 March 2015 18 March 2015

UPDATE 3: Costa Crociere confirms three of  passengers murdered among touristsby terrorists in Tunis yesterday. Nine passngers of MSC Cruises had been confirmed to be among the dead already earlier.

Statement by Michael Thamm, CEO of Costa Group: "With great sadness we regret to report that 3 passengers of the Costa Fascinosa are amongst the victims of this barbaric and horrific terror attack in Tunis, and further 8 guests are injured. In addition 2 remain unaccounted for.  We strongly condemn the attack on democratic Tunisia. Our deepest sympathy and our condolences go to the victims and their families. We share their sorrow.

Our team in Tunis is currently taking care of the companions of the victims and the 8 guests who are being treated in hospitals. A further Costa management team is supporting our crew and our guests on board. In the meantime, Costa Fascinosa has left Tunisia and is currently at sea.

We are in constant contact with the Italian Government and the security authorities of Tunisia as well as of other countries. We would like to thank the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and his structure for their co-operation".

 UPDATE 2: Thirteen passengers of Costa Crociere’s Costa Fascinosa are missing and nine are dead from MSC Cruises’ MSC Splendida in the aftermath of a terrorist attack in Tunis on Wednesday, which has claimed at least 23 lives, including the perpetrators.

“Based on the communication made by officials authorities, MSC Cruises, its ownership and entire management team report with profound sadness that at the time of this announcement nine of its guests are reported to have lost their lives, 12 were injured, and six (two Spanish nationals, one Belgian, one British, one French and one Japanese) are still unaccounted for in conjunction with the tragic event at the Bardo Museum. However, these numbers are still subject to modification whilst official identification is on-going,” MSC Cruises said in a statement.

 “According to sources it would appear that of the victims, three were of Japanese nationality, two French, two Spanish and two were Colombian. The wounded, of which three Japanese nationals, one South African, one Belgian and seven French, are currently being treated in various hospitals. All of them are being assisted in person by members of the MSC Cruises Crisis Team that was immediately sent to Tunis to provide on the ground support,” the company said.

Meanwhile Costa Crociere said in a statement that Costa Fascinosa had sailed from Tunis at 0155 am today, at which time 13 passengers of the vessel had failed to return on board. A 12 member care team remains on the scene in Tunis, it added.

 UPDATE 1: Costa Crociere has issued the following statement:

"Further to this morning attack in Tunis, Costa Crociere confirms that some of its guests had booked a Shore Excursion in the City. Upon being notified the Ship’s Command have immediately recalled all excursions to return on board. The company is in close contact with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Local Security Authorities, the Captain of Costa Fascinosa and our local Port Agent for a continuous assessment of the situation on site and its evolution so to collect updated information from the Authorities. 3161 Guests were on board this cruise. The departure of the ship from Tunis which is scheduled for tonight at 8pm will most probably be delayed. Costa HQ management and Care Team are travelling to Tunis to reach the ship tonight in order to liaise with the local Authorities and passengers on board. Extra security measures are taken by local security Authorities around the port to ensure the security of ship, its passengers and the crew."

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Forty passengers of Costa Crociere, the Genoa based contemporary market unit of Carnival Corp & plc, were at the Bardo museum in Tunis at the time of a terrorist attack this afternoon, a media report in London said.

"Then there were no gunshots outside, then we heard of things outside. We were all inside sitting on the floor in the room. We could hear Allahu Akbar and lots of firing. There are around 40 French tourists with Costa Cruises. People are shooting outside. Earlier there were shots in the museum, now it’s outside.” the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on its website, citing rench media. Seventeen people are reported to have been killed at the attack, including two terrorists shot  by the security services.

Two cruise liners are docked at La Goulette, the port of the capital Tunis this afternoon. These are Costa Fascinosa of Costa Crociere and MSC Splendida of MSC Cruises, according to data retrieved from marinetraffic.com