Six Italian adults were detained after allegedly broadcasting false emergency alerts over the PA system aboard MSC Divina during a July 30 crossing from Marmaris to Naples. The fake messages, heard in common areas on two decks, claimed the captain had lost control and the ship was adrift. Passengers reported the messages to the Italian Coast Guard, and authorities traced the transmission after the ship docked in Naples. MSC Cruises said systems were not hacked, safety was unaffected, and measures were put in place to prevent a recurrence.
Six Passengers Detained After Broadcasting Fake 'Ship Adrift' Alerts Aboard MSC Divina
The 'MSC Divina' cruise shipCredit: Alamy
Six adult passengers from Italy were detained after allegedly using the onboard public-address system of the cruise ship MSC Divina to broadcast false emergency announcements while the vessel sailed from Marmaris, Turkey, to Naples, Italy.
Timeline
The incident occurred shortly before 6:30 a.m. local time on July 30, according to Italian outlets La Repubblica and Napoli Today. The false alerts were reportedly heard in common areas on two decks of the ship, not shipwide.
What Happened
Local reports say a group of six young adults gained unauthorized access to the ship's intercom and announced that the captain had lost control and that the vessel was adrift. Several passengers who heard the messages contacted the Operations Center of the General Command of the Port Authority of Rome, which is part of the Italian Coast Guard.
An Italian Coast Guard patrol boatCredit: Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty
Authorities' Response
When MSC Divina docked in Naples, officers from the Border Police of Naples, with support from the Coast Guard, boarded the vessel. Following a formal complaint from the ship's captain, investigators traced the transmission to the six individuals. The passengers were reported to the relevant authorities and disembarked in Naples to face inquiries and possible charges, reportedly including unauthorized access to a computer system and causing an alarm.
Official Statements
MSC Cruises confirmed that “an unauthorized announcement was broadcast on the ship's PA system,” and emphasized that “at no point were any of the ship's systems hacked or compromised, including any computer systems.” The company added that the safe operation of the vessel was not affected and that changes were implemented immediately to prevent a repeat of the incident.
The ship's captain later made a clarification announcement apologizing for the disruption and any concern caused to passengers.
Ongoing Matters
Local authorities are handling the legal follow-up. People who create false emergencies on board vessels can face serious criminal charges, particularly when actions cause alarm or endanger safety. PEOPLE has contacted the Italian Coast Guard and the Central Tyrrhenian Sea Port System Authority, which oversees operations at the Port of Naples, for comment.
Sources: La Repubblica, Napoli Today, PEOPLE.
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