17 Killed in Terrorist Attack at Tunesia including possibly including Costa pax

Costa Crociere has released the following statement regarding the situation in Tunisia as the Costa Fascinosa is currently in port there:

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.

From the MSC forum of CC:

This also from MSC - Translated from Italian....

 

As for the events that are currently taking place in Tunis, particularly at the National Museum of Bardo, MSC Cruises confirms that: - One of our ships, MSC Splendida, is currently in the port of La Goulette, Tunis - currently of the facts, some of the guests were in MSC Splendida different shore excursions, including one at the National Museum of Bardo. - All coaches on tour were immediately recalled to port and all other tours and activities on the ground were immediately suspended. MSC Cruises is in close contact with the Italian Foreign Ministry, with the local authorities, with the Master of the vessel with the local port authority to constantly monitor the evolution of the situation. Updates will follow in the coming hours.

Arabic language media is currently reporting that the dead are cruise passengers. Time will tell, but it currently doesn't bode well.

Unfortunately, many of the ships' excursions include the Bardo as it is the most famous museum for mosaic art.

From CNN:

"...At least two cruise ships were docked in Tunis at the time. The Costa Fascinosa carried more than 3,000 passengers, said Costa Cruise, its parent company. And some guests of the MSC Splendida were on tours at the Bardo Museum on Wednesday, said MSC, its parent company.

Polish, Italian, German and Spanish tourists are among those killed, Essid said, with another 20 tourists plus two Tunisians wounded in the attack. He suggested that the terrorists wanted to hurt Tunisia's economy by going after tourists..."

Full story here: http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/18/africa...ent-evacuated/

Our news article. http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6253

Our thoughts are with those effected.

There's a pic in this news article that shows a Costa tour bus with bullet holes in the windshield. :(

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3000614/Tourists-shot-dead-Tunisia-Bardo-Museum.html

There's a pic in this news article that shows a Costa tour bus with bullet holes in the windshield. :(

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3000614/Tourists-shot-dead-Tunisia-Bardo-Museum.html

How horrible for everyone. This might explain why the ship is not leaving port tonight.

This is the latest statement released by Costa cruises on twitter.

With ISIS on the march I don't think people from western countries are safe anywhere in the Middle East. I don't think the cruise ships should be going there.

Can't figure out how to post it but the most recent tweet says that 14 people are still not returned to the ship. No further information about them.

How terrible. Cannot even begin to imagine it.

Costa is now reporting 14 missing.

Here,,,

http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/12357-costa-reports-14-missing-passengers-after-tunis-attack.html

Cruise Fever say Costa are reporting 14 missing from Fascinosa http://cruisefever.net/0318-14-cruise-passengers-missing-after-attack-in-tunis/

I have happy memories of Fascinosa, and of Tunis, its medina and beautiful Bardo.

Thoughts with all those affected.

With ISIS on the march I don't think people from western countries are safe anywhere in the Middle East. I don't think the cruise ships should be going there.

You do realize Tunisia is not in the Middle East?

It's a Muslim country close to the Middle East. That's bad enough.

It's a Muslim country close to the Middle East. That's bad enough.

Tunisia is nowhere near the Middle East...and your prejudice and ignorance is rather frightening!

It's a Muslim country close to the Middle East. That's bad enough.

Greece is closer to the Middle East! Infact, every cruise out of Venice is visiting ports 'closer' to the Middle East than Tunis!

It's a Muslim country close to the Middle East. That's bad enough.

You need to look at a map.I am ashamed of your ignorance.:mad:

Confirmation from The Guardian that at least one Costa passenger has succumbed to their injuries.

The ship has left Tunisia- still 13 passengers not on board.

You need to look at a map.I am ashamed of your ignorance.:mad:

Please...bear with one another right now.

Costa ship has left port with 13 passengers still missing.

According to Costa's facebook: " The Captain reported that there are still 13 passengers who did not return back onboard at the time of departure."

He simply said that number did not return, not that they are missing or unaccounted for.

Many of them could be in a local hospital. Or if someone was injured, or in the case of the man killed, their traveling companion may have decided to remain with them.

With ISIS on the march I don't think people from western countries are safe anywhere in the Middle East. I don't think the cruise ships should be going there.

Terrorism is everywhere and many innocent Muslims have been killed in the Middle East. Tragedies can happen anywhere. No where and no one is ever guaranteed their safety.

Let's just concentrate on sending prayers and/or sympathies to those that have been impacted. Even those that are just witnesses are greatly affected by an event like this.