
On Saturday morning it was reported by Good Morning Britain journalist Richard Gaisford that a 'violent late-night brawl' took place on the P&O cruise ship 'Britannia' that was on its last leg of a week-long cruise in Norway.
The incident is said to have occurred at 2am on the 16th-floor restaurant of the ship and was reportedly started after one passenger took objection to someone dressed as a clown as they had apparently booked a cruise that had no fancy dress.
The fight is said to have left some staff members with injuries, while passengers who witnessed what happened had to defend themselves with plates. Gaisford, who was on board the ship, tweeted the following thread on Saturday morning.
“There was blood everywhere”. Violent late night brawl in the buffet onboard @pocruises Britannia left staff who in… https://t.co/NPiH2KHLUu— Richard Gaisford (@Richard Gaisford) 1564215263
One witness, part of a group involved in the trouble, explained to staff that things kicked off when another passen… https://t.co/o6pApT2muA— Richard Gaisford (@Richard Gaisford) 1564215421
Britannia left Bergen at 1430 on Thursday, the violence occurred 12 hours later after a black-tie evening. It follo… https://t.co/avTZrKJnhp— Richard Gaisford (@Richard Gaisford) 1564215583
The buffet area was immediately sealed off as medical teams went to help the injured. Staff told me they’d never ex… https://t.co/veW9tBoVTi— Richard Gaisford (@Richard Gaisford) 1564215607
The ship arrived back in its home Port this morning. It will depart on a Mediterranean cruise later today.— Richard Gaisford (@Richard Gaisford) 1564215697
I should clarify this thread relates to guests traveling on @pandocruises based in the UK, not it’s Australian cou… https://t.co/wiAXVBTRIp— Richard Gaisford (@Richard Gaisford) 1564216440
Police attended the ship after it docked in Southampton and confirmed that an ongoing investigation is taking place. A Hampshire police statement said:
Officers are investigating following reports of a public order incident on-board P&Os Britannia.
The incident happened during the early hours of Friday, 26 July while the ship was enroute to Southampton from Bergen.
Six people; three men and three women were assaulted. A number of injuries were suffered including significant bruising and cuts.
Investigations are ongoing. If anyone has any information, including phone footage of the incident, they should call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting 44190262605.
A spokesperson from P&O cruises said in a statement:
Following an incident on board Britannia on Thursday evening we can confirm that all guests have now disembarked and the matter is now in the hands of the local police.
Despite the seriousness of what happened people haven't been able to restrain themselves from making jokes about the situation, especially the spectre of Brexit looming over the UK.
“The incident was sparked by a passenger taking offence at another holidaymaker dressed as a clown.” This feels ver… https://t.co/IG1SPWsgzy— George Eaton (@George Eaton) 1564230243
This has everything- Drunken Brits brawling among themselves on holiday, clowns, and a “patriotic party” to that La… https://t.co/P6zxctM0Ga— Alistair Coleman (@Alistair Coleman) 1564230526
Never, ever go on a @pandocruises cruise. You'll risk being subjected to 'entertainment' like this and being maimed… https://t.co/Y3LPoOo0Wa— Ian Fraser (@Ian Fraser) 1564231522
Ok today’s favourite headline. A mass brawl has broken out on a P&O cruise ship after someone turned up to dinner dressed as a clown.— Vitt (@Vitt) 1564232599
"Inspector. There's been a metaphor." https://t.co/JV3UP8N7wP— Andrew Mueller (@Andrew Mueller) 1564232397
@richardgaisford The idea of spending a week on Boaty McBrexitface sounds like hell.— Dan Parnell (@Dan Parnell) 1564218733
@richardgaisford The idea of spending a week on Boaty McBrexitface sounds like hell.— Dan Parnell (@Dan Parnell) 1564218733
ColdWarSteve: Live https://t.co/CY2O1cCB81— Adam Hurrey (@Adam Hurrey) 1564218511
However, despite the reports from various news sources, the Hampshire police team investigating the incident have told the Independent that no one involved in the fight was dressed as a clown or in fancy dress of any kind.