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'Mass brawl' breaks out on P&O cruise ship Britannia 'Mass brawl' breaks out on P&O cruise ship Britannia
(about 5 hours later)
Plates and furniture were reportedly used as weapons after a mass brawl broke out on a British cruise ship.Plates and furniture were reportedly used as weapons after a mass brawl broke out on a British cruise ship.
Six people were hurt as P&O's Britannia sailed to Southampton after a week-long trip to Norway's fjords, police said.Six people were hurt as P&O's Britannia sailed to Southampton after a week-long trip to Norway's fjords, police said.
Good Morning Britain journalist Richard Gaisford, who was on board, said he had been told the incident was sparked by a passenger taking offence at another holidaymaker dressed as a clown. A man, 43, and a 41-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of assault.
A man and a woman in their 40s have been arrested on suspicion of assault. Good Morning Britain journalist Richard Gaisford, who was on board, said an emergency tannoy summoned security staff to the ship's restaurant in the early hours of Friday.
Writing on Twitter, Mr Gaisford said he first became aware of the trouble when an emergency tannoy was made in the early hours of Friday for security staff to attend Britannia's 16th floor restaurant. Writing on Twitter, he said: "Witnesses told me they were so frightened they had to hide, as family groups fought," he said.
"Witnesses told me they were so frightened they had to hide, as family groups fought," he said.
'Violent confrontation''Violent confrontation'
The people suspected of being behind the violence were confined to a cabin for the last day of the cruise, Mr Gaisford said.The people suspected of being behind the violence were confined to a cabin for the last day of the cruise, Mr Gaisford said.
He said the violence occurred after a black-tie evening and an afternoon of "patriotic" partying on deck, when large amounts of alcohol were consumed.He said the violence occurred after a black-tie evening and an afternoon of "patriotic" partying on deck, when large amounts of alcohol were consumed.
He said one witness "explained to staff that things kicked off when another passenger appeared dressed as a clown. This upset one of their party because they'd specifically booked a cruise with no fancy dress. It led to a violent confrontation."
A P&O Cruises spokesman said: "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."A P&O Cruises spokesman said: "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."
Hampshire Police said its officers attended the ship when it docked in Southampton and investigations are ongoing.Hampshire Police said its officers attended the ship when it docked in Southampton and investigations are ongoing.
A police spokeswoman said: "The incident took place during the early hours of Friday, 26 July, on board P&O's Britannia while it was en route to Southampton from Bergen."A police spokeswoman said: "The incident took place during the early hours of Friday, 26 July, on board P&O's Britannia while it was en route to Southampton from Bergen."
She said three men and three women were assaulted, with their injuries including significant bruising and cuts.She said three men and three women were assaulted, with their injuries including significant bruising and cuts.
The two people arrested - a man aged 43 and a 41-year-old woman, both from Chigwell, Essex - are in police custody. The man and the woman arrested, both from Chigwell, Essex, are in police custody.