Second man released after cruise ship death arrests

A man, the second to be arrested in connection with the death of a 60-year-old man on board a cruise ship, has been released on police bail.

James Messham, from Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, died following an altercation on the MSC Virtuosa at about 20:30 BST on 3 May.

The ship was about two-and-a-half hours into a two-night voyage from Southampton to Bruges, Belgium.

Police said a 56-year-old man from Richmond, London, arrested on suspicion of manslaughter at the weekend had been released on bail while the investigation continued.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary previously arrested a 57-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

The man from Exeter, Devon, was released on bail on Tuesday afternoon.

The force said it still wanted to hear from anyone who was aboard the ship.

The vessel left Southampton at 18:00 for a two-night voyage to Bruges, Belgium, returning from Zeebrugge port at 06:00 on Monday.

The MSC Virtuosa is operated by MSC Cruises and has capacity for 6,334 guests.

MSC Cruises previously said: "Following an incident on board our ship, the relevant authorities were contacted and we are cooperating fully with their investigations.

"We are providing full support to those impacted and thoughts are with the family and friends at this difficult time."

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