Six Reported After False Emergency Broadcast on MSC Divina

Six cruise passengers have been reported to Italian authorities after allegedly gaining unauthorized access to MSC Divina’s onboard public address system and broadcasting fake emergency announcements that caused concern among guests during the ship’s voyage to Naples.

According to La Repubblica, the incident took place overnight between July 29 and 30 while the vessel was sailing from Marmaris, Turkey, to Naples, Italy. Authorities said the six individuals, all from Naples and staying in two separate cabins, allegedly accessed the ship’s communication network and used the intercom system to broadcast false emergency messages across two passenger decks.

One of the unauthorized announcements reportedly stated that “the captain has lost control of the ship,” leading to confusion and alarm among passengers and crew.

After the ship arrived in Naples, passengers alerted authorities. Following a formal complaint from the ship’s master, officers from the Naples Coast Guard and Border Police boarded the vessel and began an investigation. Investigators traced the broadcasts to the six suspects, who have now been reported to judicial authorities on allegations of unauthorized access to a computer system and causing public alarm.

Authorities are continuing to investigate how the group was able to bypass the ship’s cybersecurity measures and gain access to the onboard communications system. Because MSC Divina is registered under the Panamanian flag, the results of the investigation are also expected to be shared with the Panamanian authorities.

In response to the incident, Captain Gabriele Russo addressed passengers over the ship’s public address system, explaining that the announcements had been made by one or more individuals who transmitted messages that were completely unrelated to the vessel’s normal operations.

The captain explained that the crew immediately contacted MSC Cruises’ technical department after discovering the unauthorized broadcasts. An initial investigation quickly identified the technical source of the intrusion, while a more detailed inquiry was launched to determine how the security breach occurred and who was responsible.

Captain Russo also apologized to guests on behalf of both the crew and MSC Cruises for the disturbance and any inconvenience caused, thanking passengers for their patience and understanding throughout the incident.