MSC Cruises crew members were caught on video pepper-spraying passengers during a fight this week on the MSC Meraviglia. This fight came after passengers had been stranded on the Meraviglia for three days due to a coronavirus scare.
The scuffle was caught on video by a passenger in the dining hall of the ship. The video clearly shows crew members breaking up a fight by spraying passengers who were involved.
The Meraviglia was docked in Cozumel, Mexico, for three days at the time the fight occurred. Prior to the ship arriving in Cozumel, the vessel had been denied permission to dock in Ochos Rios, Jamaica, as well as Georgetown, the Cayman Islands.
The initial concern regarding the vessel being contaminated with the coronavirus began after Caribbean authorities feared that an MSC crew member and female passenger were sick with COVID-19. Officials with MSC Cruises insist that the vessel was given a clean bill of health by Mexican health officials after it was determined that the two individuals were sick with the flu instead.
Officials with MSC Cruises have continually insisted that both the Jamaican and Grand Cayman authorities reacted out of fear, arguing that denying the ship to dock was unnecessary and only sparked chaos and paranoia on the ship. Now that the nearly 4,580 passengers have been stuck on the vessel for quite some time, MSC Cruises have decided to offer all guests a 100 percent refund of their cruise fare due to the disruption in their travel plans.
Passengers have said that the video of the dining room brawl showed just how high tensions had gotten due to the scare and the fact they were trapped on the ship. The argument began when passengers who were frustrated began arguing and fighting with the musicians performing in the dining hall that evening. The passengers who began the fight appeared to be intoxicated at the time.
Passengers and crew members could get off the ship in Mexico after the testing for the virus came out negative for the two sick individuals.
INJURED ON A CRUISE SHIP OR CRUISE SHIP EXCURSION? SPEAK TO A CRUISE SHIP INJURY ATTORNEY TODAY: 1-866-597-4529.
Aronfeld Trial Lawyers is a personal injury firm located in Miami, Florida since 1991. We have fought hard to hold cruise lines accountable when they put their profits ahead of passenger safety. We are available 24/7 and encourage you to contact us even if you are still on your cruise. The sooner we can begin our investigation and preservation of key evidence, such as the CCTV footage of your trip and fall, slip and fall, assault or other type of injury the more likely we will be able to understand and prove how the incident occurred. Remember, the cruise lines have the most aggressive and well-funded defense lawyers in the world- protecting their profits. You need an experienced legal advocate in your corner who will fight to obtain the compensation you deserve for lost wages, medical expenses, transportation reimbursement and pain and suffering. Call us today and speak with a cruise ship claims lawyer about your potential claim- toll free 1-866-597-4529, 305-441-0440, or by email. We are ready to help.
