‘Mass brawl’ breaks out on P&O cruise ship after angry row about onboard clown Police in Southampton were called after the violent brawl, which was allegedly sparked by a disagreement over a clown

Several people were reportedly injured after a violent brawl broke out aboard the P&O cruise ship Britannia over an onboard clown.

Police were called to the port in Southampton on Saturday following the violent altercation at sea in the late hours of Thursday evening.

ITV correspondent Richard Gaisford, who was onboard the week long round-trip to visit the Norwegian fjords, reports that several staff members were injured after the incident in the ship’s buffet restaurant.

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Disagreement over clown

In a Twitter thread, he claimed that passengers “used furniture and plates as weapons” in the brawl, while other cruise-goers frantically took cover and attempted to hide.

Mr Gaisford explained: “One witness, part of a group involved in the trouble, 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.”

“There was blood everywhere”. Violent late night brawl in the buffet onboard @pocruises Britannia left staff who intervened injured, as passengers used furniture and plates as weapons. Witnesses told me they were so frightened they had to hide, as family groups fought. — Richard Gaisford (@richardgaisford) July 27, 2019

Witnesses told Mr Gaisford that several staff members attempting to intervene were injured, and that there was “blood everywhere.”

The buffet room was sealed off after the incident, he added, while several people were allegedly “confined to a cabin for the last day of the cruise.”

Britannia left Bergen at 1430 on Thursday, the violence occurred 12 hours later after a black-tie evening. It followed an afternoon of ‘patriotic’ partying on deck, with large amounts of alcohol being consumed by many guests. pic.twitter.com/zQcEXGDJeg — Richard Gaisford (@richardgaisford) July 27, 2019

The dramatic brawl is said to have broken out following hours of drinking during an afternoon of “patriotic” partying.

The company confirmed that police were called as the ship reached its home port.

Police called

A Hampshire Police spokesperson told: “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 en route 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.”

Two people, a 43-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman, both from Chigwell, Essex, have been arrested on suspicion of assault and are currently in police custody.

A P&O spokesperson 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.”