Two German cruise passengers were attacked in a violent robbery while sightseeing in Recife, Brazil, where their ship had docked. One of the passengers was stabbed in the head during the incident and was taken to a local hospital, G1 Globo reports.

Wolfgang Duysen Gurkasch, 79, and Werner Duysen Gurkasch, 81, were attacked on Thursday, December 8, as they explored the tourist sites. The senior couple was sailing aboard the cruise ship Norwegian Star. The crime took place near the Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church, in the Santo Antonio neighborhood, when two robbers approached the victims.

Wolfgang had superficial injuries while Werner was stabbed in the head as the thieves made off with their cell phones and glasses. The stabbing victim was taken to Hospital Santa Joana, in the central region of the capital of Pernambuco, and remains hospitalized. The police said the couple was attacked while taking pictures. According to local merchants who witnessed the crime, one of the victims fell and hit his head on a step of a snack bar.

In a note, the Secretariat of Social Defense of Pernambuco reported that it “deeply regrets what happened” and that the security forces are working to identify and arrest the suspects.

Port Authorities released the following statement:

"Porto do Recife SA regrets the incident that occurred with the German passenger of the ship Norwegian Star, Werner Duysen Gurkasch, who disembarked through the Maritime Passenger Terminal and was attacked near Dantas Barreto Avenue, last Thursday (12/08). Porto do Recife SA has provided all possible assistance to the victim and the state Social Defense Secretariat is leading the investigations."