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| Britons struck by cruise illness | Britons struck by cruise illness |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| A group of British holidaymakers has been struck down by illness on a cruise ship on the River Rhine in Germany. | |
| Sixteen people have been taken to local hospitals at Boppard, and 23 are having treatment on board the Lady Anne. | Sixteen people have been taken to local hospitals at Boppard, and 23 are having treatment on board the Lady Anne. |
| German health authorities have suggested the cause of the illness, which has symptoms including sickness and diarrhoea, is an airborne virus. | German health authorities have suggested the cause of the illness, which has symptoms including sickness and diarrhoea, is an airborne virus. |
| Market Harborough-based tour operator River Cruise Line said all passengers in hospital were recovering well. | |
| Doctor assessment | |
| They are expected to rejoin the Lady Anne on Wednesday morning. | |
| The firm said those passengers well enough would return to the UK on Wednesday, and the remainder would be assessed by doctors to determine when they could come back. | |
| Insurers are being contacted to make arrangements for the care of those who cannot return straight away. | |
| Local media has reported that laboratory tests showed the cause of the illness was the norovirus. | |
| River Cruise Line said local authorities had thoroughly inspected the ship and now given it the all clear. | |
| The Lady Anne will be professionally cleaned to ensure the safety of future passengers, the company added. | |
| 'Excellent work' | |
| The vessel will not depart for a cruise scheduled on Wednesday, and all staff and crew will be changed for the next cruise. | |
| Senior staff from the head office of River Cruise Line have travelled to Germany. | |
| A company spokesman said: "We would like to thank the excellent work of the German paramedics who have provided, and continue to provide, valuable medical care and support to our passengers. | |
| "We offer our apologies for all those directly and indirectly affected by this incident. Our priority continues to be the provision of all necessary support to the customers and staff on board the vessel." |