What began as a night of leisure turned violent for two cruise ship crew members during a stopover in the popular French port Ajaccio, Corsica. The crew members, part of the Mein Schiff 4 crew, were assaulted outside a local nightclub in the early hours of May 17, 2025. The attack left one crew member with multiple fractures and unable to work for 90 days, according to local media reports.
The incident happened after the crew members decided to enjoy some time ashore while their ship stayed overnight at the port. The group visited a nightclub called L’Entracte in downtown Ajaccio, a well-known nightlife spot. According to reports, an altercation broke out between the crew and a group of locals, quickly escalating into a violent brawl.
While the victims were unable to provide detailed statements to police before returning to the ship, video surveillance footage from outside the nightclub allowed investigators to clearly identify the attackers. The suspects, Lisandru Cianfarani and Morgan Rouxel, were later apprehended and faced charges under a fast-track legal procedure known as CRPC (appearance on prior admission of guilt).
Cianfarani received a sentence of nine months' home detention with an electronic bracelet, while Rouxel was sentenced to one year under the same conditions. Both men admitted to the assault and expressed regret. Their defense claimed the cruise staff’s "provocative behavior" contributed to the incident, though they acknowledged their own actions were excessive.
The Ajaccio public prosecutor’s office initially launched an investigation to locate and charge the perpetrators. The ship made regular stops in Ajaccio and never had any Incidents until now. After the attack, the crew member managed to return to the ship before being taken to La Miséricorde Hospital for treatment.
We wish the injured crew member a full and speedy recovery. Incidents like this serve as a reminder for cruise staff to remain vigilant when going ashore, especially at night and in unfamiliar areas. Awareness, caution, and staying in groups can help reduce risks and ensure that shore leave remains a safe experience for all.
