Statement from MSC Cruises regarding situation in Tunis

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Mar 18, 2015, 07:26 ET

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- With respect to the tragic events that are currently unfolding in Tunis, MSC Cruises confirms the following:

One of our ships, MSC Splendida was calling the port of La Goulette, Tunis with 3,714 guests and 1,267 crew members aboard.

At the time of the events, some of MSC Splendida guests were on shore excursions, including to the Bardo National Museum. Consequently, all MSC Cruises coaches on tour at the time of the events were immediately ordered back to the port and all other excursions and on the ground activities were immediately suspended.

At this time, the return of passengers to the ship is still undergoing (please note that all the passengers of United States and Canadian nationality are all accounted for and safely back on board).

The ship's departure, originally scheduled for tonight, was postponed. For this, local security authorities set up exceptional security measures in the port and around the ships to ensure the utmost safety of MSC Cruises' guests and crew members.

An MSC Cruises team comprised of representatives from the Company's ownership, its management and dedicated Care task force is currently on its way to Tunisia to provide all possible support to guests onboard and to work closely with local authorities.

MSC Cruises remains in close contact with the relevant national and international authorities, local authorities, the ship captain as well as with the port agent to constantly monitor the situation as it unfolds.

SOURCE MSC Cruises USA