Updated: Cruise passengers died in Tunis attack

MSC Cruises said Thursday that 13 guests of the MSC Splendida died in the Bardo National Museum attack in Tunis on Wednesday, and Costa Cruises said that five of its passengers on the Fascinosa were killed.

MSC said that 13 of its guests were injured, two seriously. Costa said eight were injured and being treated in hospitals. MSC said the wounded were being treated at “various hospitals.”

MSC executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago was on his way to Tunis.

The MSC Splendida is expected to arrive in Barcelona at 9 a.m. March 20.

Both the Fascinosa and the Splendida had called in Tunis on Wednesday, when gunmen opened fire at the museum, killing tourists. A report from the Associated Press said at least 20 people were killed, and at least 50 people were wounded.

Following the attack, both lines said they ordered excursion buses to return guests to their ships.

In its statement posted to its North America website, dated 1:55 a.m. Central European Time, Costa said the Fascinosa had left the Tunis port. The captain reported that there were 13 passengers who did not return, Costa said. The line said 12 Costa Care Team members and two headquarters directors were in Tunisia, with three additional Care Team members en route. “The company is in close contact with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, local security authorities, the captain of the Costa Fascinosa and our local port agent for a continuous assessment of the situation on site and its evolution,” Costa said.

In an earlier statement, MSC said that
some of those on excursion were visiting the Bardo National Museum in Tunis
where the attack took place.

The company had sent a team with representatives of ownership, management and its dedicated Care
task force to the site.

MSC said the Splendida was
carrying 3,714 guests. There were 3,161 passengers on the Fascinosa.
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This report was updated Thursday afternoon with information from MSC and Costa about passenger deaths.