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

On May 3, 2025, the MSC Virtuosa departed Southampton, UK, at 6:00 p.m. for a two-day cruise to Zeebrugge, Belgium. Approximately two and a half hours into the journey, a tragic altercation occurred between two male passengers, ages 60 and 57, resulting in the death of the older man.

Upon returning to Southampton, police arrested the 57-year-old man from Exeter on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody as the investigation continues. Detective Chief Inspector Matt Gillooly stated that this incident appears to be isolated and acknowledged the crew’s full cooperation during the investigation. The family of the deceased has been notified and is receiving support from specialist officers. Authorities are urging any passengers with pertinent information to contact the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, citing case number 44250193676.

The MSC Virtuosa, a Meraviglia-plus class ship built in 2019, can accommodate 6,334 passengers and 1,704 crew members, and operates seasonally in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Northern Europe. MSC Cruises has indicated they are fully cooperating with the authorities and providing support to those affected by the incident.

For further details on incidents involving the MSC Virtuosa, visit the ship’s CruiseMinus page.

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