Shipping companies suspended their scales in Tunisia

USPA NEWS - The two major cruise companies operating in Spain, Costa Crociere and MSC Cruises, have suspended their scales in Tunisia after the terrorist attack Wednesday against Tunisian Parliament and the National Museum of Bardo, which left 17 dead tourists.

The two ships, the MSC Splendid and Costa Fascinosa left Tunisia on Thursday, after leaving the port of La Goulette, with some passengers minus: the 13 Fascinosa Costa and MSC Splendid four who died in the attack on Parliament and the Bardo National Museum in Tunis, and the wounded. Both cruises are scheduled to reach their home ports on Friday, but the two companies have left Tunisia to some of their staff to attend to the wounded and coordinated with the Tunisian authorities.

Costa Crociere confirms that Costa Fascinosa left Tunis port at 1.55am this Thursday. The Captain reported that there are still 13 passengers who did not return back onboard at the time of departure. 12 Costa Care Team members and 2 Costa headquarters directors are already operative in Tunis to liaise with the local Authorities and to ensure the appropriate assistance is granted. Three additional Care Team members will reach Tunis Friday morning. The Company is in close contact with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Local Security Authorities, the Captain of Costa Fascinosa and its local Port Agent for a continuous assessment of the situation on site and its evolution.

Meanwhile, MSC Cruises reported that the two passengers who remained missing since the tragic events of yesterday in Tunisia have been found safe and sound. The two Spanish citizens, Cristina Rubio and Juan Carlos Sanchez Benlloch Oltra, a young couple traveling aboard MSC Splendid, have remained hidden overnight in the National Museum of Bardo. The woman, who is pregnant, was immediately transferred to hospital where he remained under observation. Both she and her son are doing well.

Following the news that the young Spanish couple is safe, MSC Cruises sadly confirms that, based on information available at this time, 12 passengers died MSC Cruises (nationalities: 2 Colombians, 3 French, 3 Japanese, two Spaniards, a Briton and a Belgian) and 13 wounded (nationality: 1 Belgian, 7 French, 4 Japanese and a South African), of which two are in serious condition.

Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises, met this Thursday in Tunis with the injured and their families to ensure they are receiving all necessary assistance as well as the Minister of Tourism of Tunisia, with Ms. Salma Elloumi Rekik. During the meeting the Minister has confirmed that during the tragic events of yesterday killed a total of 20 persons, which has not yet been able to identify seven.

MSC Cruises confirms his ship MSC Splendid has left the port of La Goulette, Tunisia, this morning at 6:00 a.m. MSC Splendid has received approval from the relevant authorities to leave the port of La Goulette in direction, as originally planned, to Barcelona, “‹“‹where he is expected to arrive at 9.00am on Friday 20 March. The crisis team MSC Cruises is present in the scene to continue offering ground handling passengers MSC Splendid that were involved in the tragic events that need assistance.