Interpol warning over cruise security
Cruise lines have reassured customers that security is tight after an Interpol report said would-be jihadists have been using cruise ships to travel.
The international police body said prospective fighters, who want to join militant groups in Iraq and Syria, are switching to cruise travel to avoid heightened security checks at airports.
But industry body CLIA insisted that cruise lines also have stringent security processes in place to confirm the identities of passengers.
"Cruise lines work closely with authorities around the world and have stringent security processes designed to provide for the safety of passengers and crew," it said in response to the Interpol findings.
"Cruise lines employ full-time security professionals, many of whom are former law enforcement officers, who are in regular contact with local and international authorities."
Interpol did not disclose a figure but said in the last three months it has emerged that militants are using cruise ships to reach conflict areas in the Middle East.
It warned that cruise passenger lists should be better checked before it became a bigger problem.
It said because of regular stops at ports in the region, particularly Turkey, prospective fighters could disembark undetected and make their onward journey.
Interpol specifically mentioned the Turkish coastal town of Izmit.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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