Costa and MSC cruise ships on alert in France following Paris terror attacks

Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises, which were both targeted by the terror attacks in Tunis, Tunisia earlier this year, say they are on alert following the French terror attacks in Paris on November 14th, and may cut short their port calls in Marseille.

Costa Favolosa and MSC Fantasia are both in the southern French port on Saturday, each beginning Mediterranean cruise programs from the city of Marseille.

More than 120 people were killed overnight Friday and in the early hours of Saturday morning in Paris when terrorist detonated bombs outside the Stad de France during an international football match with Germany, three men also stormed the Bataclan theatre in the city where a rock concert was taking place and opened fire at the crowd.

A further several people were killed in central Paris when gunmen opened fire at diners through the glass windows of a restaurant. People were shot dead at restaurants and bars at five other sites in Paris. Eight attackers are reported killed.

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Hollande went on national TV to announce a state of emergency for the first time in France since 2005. The decree enables the authorities to close public places and impose curfews and restrictions on the movement of traffic and people.

Marseille is some several hundred kilometres from Paris and there has been no indication from French officials that the city is under threat.

Paris remains on high alert and border controls have been put in place, but MSC and Costa have indicated that their cruise program will continue as planned, but that they are monitoring the situation on the ground closely.