Tragic Incident: 60-Year-Old Passenger Dies After Altercation on MSC Virtuosa Ship

On May 3, 2025, the cruise ship MSC Virtuosa set sail from Southampton, UK at 6:00 p.m. for a two-day journey to Zeebrugge/Bruges, Belgium. About two and a half hours into the voyage, while still in British waters, a violent altercation occurred between two male passengers, aged 60 and 57, leading to the death of the older man.

Upon the ship’s return to Southampton, the 57-year-old suspect from Exeter was apprehended by Hampshire police on suspicion of murder. He is currently in custody as investigations are underway. Detective Chief Inspector Matt Gillooly, overseeing the case, noted that the event seems to be an isolated incident and thanked the ship’s crew for their assistance during the investigation.

The relatives of the deceased have been notified and are receiving support from specialized officers. Authorities are urging any passengers who may have information about the incident to reach out to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, referencing case number 44250193676.

The MSC Virtuosa is a Meraviglia-plus class vessel built in 2019, flying the Maltra flag, and capable of accommodating 6,334 passengers and 1,704 crew members. The ship operates primarily in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Northern Europe during the cruising season.

MSC has confirmed its full cooperation with authorities and is offering ongoing support to those impacted by this tragic event.

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