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Cruise ships avoiding Tunis use Malta as alternative port

Xinhua, March 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

Two cruise companies, whose passengers were among the victims of the terrorist attack at the Bardo Museum in Tunis last week, have suspended all remaining Tunisian calls and have chosen alternative destinations including Malta in the interest of guest and crew member safety, recent reports have said.

MSC cruises, which confirmed that 12 of its passengers were killed in the shooting at the Bardo Museum, said two of its ships would call at Malta.

In a statement, MSC Cruises executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: "Tunisia can little afford to be considered a no-go zone at this time, but regrettably that is how tourists will now see it."

The Genoa-based Costa Crociere, which said five passengers in the Costa Fascinosa were amongst the victims of the horrific attack in Tunis, also suspended calls in Tunisia for the upcoming cruises in 2015.

The company's three cruise ships will instead call at Malta, Trapani (Italy), Barcelona (Spain) as well as Tarragona (Spain).

President of Costa Crociere Neil Palomba said in a statement: "What happened in Tunis represents an attack 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."

Located close to the coastlines of North Africa, the Maltese archipelago is 388 km from Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Endit