Last week, a Kenyan entertainer was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a British national aboard the MSC Fantasia cruise ship.
The female passenger, 27, accused the 37-year-old whose identity was not revealed of assault during an onboard dance.
The ship’s captain promptly notified authorities, requesting their presence upon docking in Palma, Spain. Local police entered the ship and apprehended the suspect.
While details remain scarce, officials confirmed the arrest and disclosed the suspect’s refusal to answer questions during his court appearance.
According to reports, the alleged assault occurred after the victim and the suspect had been dancing together on the ship throughout the night.
The man then reportedly forced the woman to engage in sexual relations, leaving her in a state of shock.
The victim subsequently notified the ship’s captain, who alerted the island police.
A Civil Guard spokesman in Majorca confirmed that a man had been arrested after the accusations of rape.
“A Kenyan national was arrested and handed over to the courts for further questioning on Friday. I am not in a position to say any more at this stage,” the spokesperson told local reporters.
A statement from MSC Cruises said that they are aware of the incident that was reported on board MSC Fantasia.
“This was reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities and we are assisting with their investigation.
“The safety of our passengers is our number one priority. We have an uncompromising code of conduct and do not tolerate any behaviour that puts our passengers at risk.
“As there is a criminal investigation underway we can’t provide any further comment,” it said.
The MSC Fantasia docked in Palma on Friday in the first stop after leaving Naples on a seven-day round-trip of the Western Mediterranean.
The cruise ship carrying over 4,000 passengers, continued its scheduled voyage despite the incident.
MSC Cruises offers employment opportunities to qualified Kenyans. Their presence at the Port of Mombasa contributes to Kenyan job creation and the tourism industry’s growth.
