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Britons struck by cruise illness Britons struck by cruise illness
(about 1 hour later)
A group of British holidaymakers has been struck down by illness on a cruise ship on the River Rhine in Germany. A group of elderly British tourists has been struck down by a potentially fatal illness on a Rhine cruise 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, with symptoms of sickness and diarrhoea.
German health authorities have suggested the cause of the illness, which has symptoms including sickness and diarrhoea, is an airborne virus. German doctors said the illness had been caused by the norovirus, which can kill young children and the elderly.
Market Harborough-based tour operator River Cruise Line said all passengers in hospital were recovering well. Leicestershire-based tour operator River Cruise Line said all passengers in hospital were recovering well.
Doctor assessment Medical assessment
They are expected to rejoin the Lady Anne on Wednesday morning. A German health official said all the holidaymakers were at least 70 years old.
Those in hospital 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.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.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. The Britons were on a five-day cruise along one the most picturesque stretches of the Rhine valley in Germany.
River Cruise Line said local authorities had thoroughly inspected the ship and now given it the all clear. German authorities said the Lady Anne would remain moored at Boppard until further notice.
The Lady Anne will be professionally cleaned to ensure the safety of future passengers, the company added.
'Excellent work''Excellent work'
River Cruise Line said the 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.
The vessel will not depart for a cruise scheduled on Wednesday, and all staff and crew will be changed for the next cruise.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. Senior staff from the head office of River Cruise Line - based at Market Harborough - 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.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.""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."

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