Please find below a statement by Costa Cruises on today's terrorist attack in Tunis:
Update received March 19 - 1:43pm EDT
Issued: Thu March 19 - 6,00 pm - Statement 8
Statement by Neil Palomba – President Costa Crociere
“With great sadness we regret to report that 5 guests (4 Italians and 1 Russian) of the Costa Fascinosa are amongst the victims of the horrific attack yesterday in Tunis, and 8 guests (7 Italians and 1 Russian) are injured and currently hospitalized. What happened yesterday in Tunis represent an attempt to the values of friendship between cultures in which we have always believed. Our deepest sympathy and our condolences go to the victims and their families. We share their sorrow.”
As soon as the ship’s command was notified about the attack at Museo Bardo they immediately activated our Company Emergency Response procedures, recalled all excursions to return on board, and care team and company senior executives were deployed on site.
Our Crisis Team immediately established close communication with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Local Security Authorities and our Port Agent together with the Captain of Costa Fascinosa for a continuous assessment of the situation on site and its evolution in order to collect continuous updates.
15 Costa Care Team members and 2 Costa headquarters Executives reached Tunis later in the afternoon, and immediately began providing assistance on site to our Guests, and establishing close communications with local authorities.
Costa Fascinosa departed Tunis at 1:55 am on Thursday March 19th with 3,148 pax on board.
Costa Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing Norbert Stiekema embarked on board Costa Fascinosa and began establishing close contact with the guests impacted by this shocking experience. All Guests on board have been given the opportunity to disembark upon arrival to the next port of Palma de Mallorca on Friday March 20th, and for those choosing this option Costa will take care of their return to their home country.
In memory of all the victims of this terrible attack, a minute of silence has been observed today at Costa Crociere headquarter in Genoa, in all worldwide offices and onboard our ships. All the entertainment activities have been suspended on board our fleet.
Our immediate priority is the assistance to our passengers and crew affected by this tragic event, and ensuring their safe passage home.
Costa Care Team members together with Costa Senior Vice President Beniamino Maltese are currently in Tunis taking care of the companions of the victims and of the 8 guests who are hospitalized.
After this event, Costa has announced all future calls in Tunis are suspended.
We are constantly in contact with the Italian Government and the Tunisian security authorities. We would like to thank the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Office for the close co-operation in managing this crisis.
Update received March 19 - 9:11am EDT
Issued Thu March 19 - 2,00 pm - Statement 7
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 received March 18 - 8:57pm EDT
Issued Thu March 19 - 1.55 am
###Costa Crociere confirms that Costa Fascinosa left Tunis port at 1.55 am. 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. 3 additional Care Team members will reach Tunis tomorrow morning. 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. Costa Crociere expresses its sympathy to all the people and their families involved in today's tragic event.###
Update received March 18 - 6:11pm EDT
Issued Wed March 18 nr 5 - 11 pm
###Costa Crociere confirms that 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. At the moment, the Captain reports that there are still 14 passengers who have not returned back onboard yet. Costa Crociere is providing complete assistance to all passengers and their relatives. Costa headquarter management and Costa Care Team are now in Tunis to reach the ship in order to liaise with the local Authorities to ensure all passengers are accounted for and assistance is granted to all of them included those not onboard. Extra security measures are taken by local security Authorities around the port to ensure the security of ship, its passengers and the crew. The ship is expected to depart from Tunis upon clearance around 00.30am March 19. Costa Crociere expresses its sympathy to all the people and their families involved in today's tragic event.###
Update received March 18 - 2:35pm EDT
Iaaued Wed March 18 nr 4 - 7pm
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 safety of our Guests and Crew both on board as well as during shore excursions is the top priority for Costa. 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 was scheduled for tonight at 7pm has been postponed to tomorrow Thursday 19 march time to be confirmed. Costa HQ management and Costa 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.
Costa Crociere expresses its sympathy to all the people and their families involved in today's tragic event.
Update received March 18 12:03pm EDT -
Issued Wed March 18 - 4,50 pm
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.
Received 10:37am EDT - Wed March 18 - ###Costa Crociere is carefully monitoring the situation in Tunis after today's attack reported by media. Today Costa Fascinosa is docked in Tunis as per her scheduled cruise itinerary of 7 days cruise in the West Mediterranean. On the occasionof today scheduled call some guests on cruise on board our Costa Fascinosa had a tour in the City. All the shore excursions organised by Costa during today stop in Tunis have been immediately recalled 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 to assess the situation and its evolution and collecting additional information. On this cruise on board Costa Fascinosa there are 3161 guests. ###
Source: Costa Crociere
