Arsonist arrested in raid on MSC vessel in Haifa

A stowaway has been apprehended and taken into custody by Israeli authorities after he attempted to start a fire on an MSC containership anchored off Haifa on Sunday, June 9.

The situation began when the crew of the Panamanian-flagged MSC Canberra sent out a distress call at around 03:00 local time on Sunday saying that an “unlisted passenger” had started damaging objects on board.

The crew later sent out another distress call to inform port authorities in Haifa that the same stowaway had started a fire in an unspecified area of the vessel.

After receiving approval from higher command authority and with MSC Canberra‘s captain providing guidance in navigating the interior via radio, Israeli Navy troops stormed the vessel, found the suspect, and arrested him without firing a shot.

The stowaway, who has been identified only as a Turkish national, has since been handed over to the Israel Police.

No injuries were reported while the ship sustained only minimal damage during the fire and the subsequent raid.

The authorities do not believe the incident was terror-related.