Italian authorities have launched an investigation after six passengers allegedly gained unauthorized access to the public address system aboard MSC Divina, broadcasting false emergency announcements during the vessel's voyage from Marmaris, Turkey, to Naples, Italy.
According to Italian media reports, the incident occurred during the night of July 29th–30th while the ship was at sea. The six passengers, all from Naples and accommodated in two separate cabins, are alleged to have accessed the vessel's communications network and transmitted a series of false messages that were heard across two passenger decks. One of the announcements reportedly claimed that the ship's master had lost control of the vessel, causing concern among passengers and crew.
Following the ship's arrival in Naples, passengers alerted the authorities. After the master filed a formal complaint, officers from the Naples Coast Guard and Border Police boarded the vessel and began an investigation. Investigators traced the unauthorized transmissions to the six suspects, who have since been reported to judicial authorities on allegations of unauthorized access to a computer system and causing public alarm.
Authorities are continuing to examine how the group was able to bypass the ship's cybersecurity measures and gain access to the onboard communication system. As MSC Divina is registered under the Panamanian flag, the findings of the investigation are also expected to be shared with the relevant Panamanian authorities.
After the incident, the ship's master addressed passengers over the public address system, explaining that the unauthorized broadcasts had been made by one or more individuals and were entirely unrelated to the vessel's normal operations. He informed guests that the crew had immediately contacted MSC Cruises' technical department, which quickly identified the source of the intrusion before launching a more detailed investigation into the security breach. He also conveyed the company's apology for the disruption and thanked passengers for their understanding.
For more MSC Divina incidents and accidents, see the ship's CruiseMinus page