19.03.2015 06.00PM
“It is with great sadness that we regret to inform you that five passengers (four Italians and one Russian) from the Costa Fascinosa are among the victims of yesterday’s terrible attack in Tunisia. Eight other guests (seven Italians and one Russian) were injured and are hospitalized. What happened yesterday in Tunisia represents an attack on the values of friendship between cultures in which we have always believed. Our deepest condolences go out to the victims and their families. We share their profound grief.”
As soon as the ship's captain received news of the attack at the Bardo Museum, he immediately activated the company's Emergency Response procedure, bringing all excursions back on board. The Costa Customer Service Team and company executives were dispatched to the scene.
Our crisis team immediately established a direct line of communication with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, local security authorities, and our local agent, along with the Captain of the Costa Fascinosa, for continuous monitoring of the situation on the ground and its evolution, with the aim of providing ongoing updates.
Fifteen members of the Costa Care Team and two executives from Costa Headquarters arrived in Tunisia that afternoon and immediately began providing on-site assistance to our guests, establishing direct communication with local authorities.
The Costa Fascinosa departed Tunis at 1:55 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, with 3,148 passengers on board. Our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Norbert Stiekema, boarded the Costa Fascinosa, establishing close contact with the guests, who were deeply affected by this terrifying experience. All guests have been offered the option to disembark upon arrival at the Port of Palma de Mallorca on Friday, March 20, and for those who choose this option, Costa will arrange their transfer back to their home country.
In memory of all the victims of the terrible attack, a minute of silence was observed at Costa Cruises' headquarters in Genoa, at all offices in other countries, and on board our ships. All entertainment activities have been suspended across our fleet.
Our immediate priority is to assist our passengers and crew after this tragic event and ensure their safe return home.
Members of the Costa Care Team, along with Costa Senior Vice President Beniamino Maltese, are in Tunisia caring for the companions of the victims and the eight guests who are hospitalized.
Following the incident, Costa has announced that future stops in Tunisia have been suspended.
We remain in close contact with the Italian government and Tunisian security authorities. We would like to thank the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its team for their invaluable assistance in managing the crisis.
