Crew Members Attacked During Shore Leave in Corsica

A night off turned violent for two Mein Schiff 4 crew members during a stopover in Ajaccio, Corsica, when they were assaulted outside a local nightclub in the early morning hours of May 17, 2025. One of the victims suffered several broken bones and was deemed unfit to work for approximately 90 days, according to local news reports.

Night Out Ends in Violence

The incident occurred as the crew took advantage of an overnight stay at the popular French port to explore the town. The group visited L’Entracte, a downtown nightclub known for its lively atmosphere. At some point during the night, a confrontation broke out between the crew members and a group of local individuals. The disagreement quickly escalated into a physical attack.

Although the injured crew members could not provide full statements before their return to the ship, surveillance footage captured outside the venue provided investigators with clear visual evidence of the assailants' identities.

Suspects Charged and Sentenced

Authorities later arrested Lisandru Cianfarani and Morgan Rouxel, who were tried under France’s expedited criminal procedure known as CRPC (appearance on prior admission of guilt). Both individuals admitted to their involvement and expressed remorse during the proceedings.

Cianfarani received a sentence of nine months of house arrest with an electronic monitoring bracelet. Rouxel was sentenced to one year under similar conditions. Their legal defense argued that the cruise crew’s behavior may have provoked the situation, although both men accepted responsibility for their actions.

Investigation and Aftermath

The Ajaccio prosecutor’s office promptly launched a probe to identify and charge those responsible. The Mein Schiff 4, which frequently visits the port of Ajaccio, had no previous incidents reported at the location until now.

Following the assault, the injured crew member was able to reboard the ship before being transported to La Miséricorde Hospital for medical care. The event has raised concerns about crew safety during shore leave in popular tourist destinations.