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Italian cruise ship adrift off Seychelles taken in tow Stricken Costa cruise ship off Seychelles changes route
(about 2 hours later)
An Italian cruise ship left adrift in the Indian Ocean with more than 1,000 people on board following a power failure has been taken in tow. The Italian cruise ship left adrift in the Indian Ocean with more than 1,000 people on board following a power failure has been taken in tow.
A French fishing vessel is taking the Costa Allegra to a small island in the Seychelles, where it is expected to arrive on Wednesday. In a change of route, the Costa Allegra is now being towed to the main island in the Seychelles, where it is expected to arrive on Thursday.
A fire in the ship's generator room on Monday caused it to lose all power.A fire in the ship's generator room on Monday caused it to lose all power.
The ship is from the same fleet as the Costa Concordia, which capsized off the Italian coast in January, killing 32.The ship is from the same fleet as the Costa Concordia, which capsized off the Italian coast in January, killing 32.
The BBC's Katy Watson on the Seychelles says that the ship is being towed to Desroches island, near Alphonse island, at the south-west end of the Seychelles. A statement from the ship's owners Costa Cruises says that after checking with maritime experts, it decided that the planned disembarkation on Desroches Island could not go ahead.
Once there the passengers will be disembarked to the one hotel on the island, and then await transfer by air to the main Seychelles island of Mahe. It says the facilities on the island were inadequate to cope with the arrival of so many people.
That process could prove lengthy, since only planes with a capacity of 20 passengers can land on Desroches. The ship will now be towed around 250km (155 miles) further to the island of Mahe.
Tugs sent from Mahe were due to meet the Costa Allegra at around 0900 GMT, our correspondent adds. Two tugs approaching the ship are expected to help it arrive there on Thursday.
The company says helicopters will ensure the continuous supply of food and "comfort items" including flashlights.
The statement ends: "The Company is sincerely sorry for the inconvenience: absolute priority is to make it as short as possible."
The vessel has no air-conditioning or cooking facilities and an emergency generator powering the radio "could fail at any minute", the Italian coast guard says.The vessel has no air-conditioning or cooking facilities and an emergency generator powering the radio "could fail at any minute", the Italian coast guard says.
Earlier, Commander Cosimo Nicastro, from the Italian coast guard, confirmed that the French-registered ocean-going trawler had reached the ship. Earlier, Costa Cruises stressed that the Allegra - which had been drifting about 32km (20 miles) from Alphonse Island - is steady and conditions are safe. No-one has been injured, officials said.
The ship's owner, Costa Cruises, has stressed that the Allegra - which had been drifting about 32km (20 miles) from Alphonse island - is steady and conditions are safe. No-one has been injured, officials said.
The company says it is liaising with passengers' families via their emergency contact numbers, and has reached two-thirds of them. Contact has been made with the relatives of all the crew.The company says it is liaising with passengers' families via their emergency contact numbers, and has reached two-thirds of them. Contact has been made with the relatives of all the crew.
Families in the UK can call the company's emergency line on 020 7940 3300.Families in the UK can call the company's emergency line on 020 7940 3300.
Distress signalDistress signal
Italian authorities have directed three merchant ships and another fishing vessel towards the stricken cruise ship.
Authorities in the Seychelles earlier said that a plane had flown overhead and reported that the ship did not appear to be in danger.Authorities in the Seychelles earlier said that a plane had flown overhead and reported that the ship did not appear to be in danger.
The ship is at the southern end of the seas that are vulnerable to attacks by Somali pirates.The ship is at the southern end of the seas that are vulnerable to attacks by Somali pirates.
But a government spokesman told the BBC that attacks in the area had decreased in the past year as security improved.But a government spokesman told the BBC that attacks in the area had decreased in the past year as security improved.
The ship sailed with nine armed guards on board, and more are stationed on the French fishing vessel. Pirates in the area have never seized a cruise ship.The ship sailed with nine armed guards on board, and more are stationed on the French fishing vessel. Pirates in the area have never seized a cruise ship.
A government plane is also patrolling overhead.A government plane is also patrolling overhead.
Costa Cruises said that the ship sent out a distress signal when the fire broke out, and all passengers and crew not involved in fighting the fire assembled at the muster stations.Costa Cruises said that the ship sent out a distress signal when the fire broke out, and all passengers and crew not involved in fighting the fire assembled at the muster stations.
Most electric lights on board the ship are off as the batteries are being used to keep essential machinery going.Most electric lights on board the ship are off as the batteries are being used to keep essential machinery going.
A spokesman said the situation on board was calm.A spokesman said the situation on board was calm.
There are 636 passengers and 413 crew on board the Costa Allegra, which left Madagascar on Saturday.There are 636 passengers and 413 crew on board the Costa Allegra, which left Madagascar on Saturday.
It was due to arrive in the Seychelles on Tuesday.It was due to arrive in the Seychelles on Tuesday.
Further destinations on its itinerary include Alexandria and Naples.Further destinations on its itinerary include Alexandria and Naples.
A facility on Costa Cruises' website allowing people to track the Allegra's position says that "data transmission is temporarily suspended". A facility on Costa Cruises' website allowing people to track the Allegro's position says that "data transmission is temporarily suspended".
The company says the Allegra received its regularly scheduled maintenance in dry dock in October 2011.The company says the Allegra received its regularly scheduled maintenance in dry dock in October 2011.
The Costa Concordia ran aground off the Italian island of Giglio on 13 January. The Costa Concordia ran aground off the Italian island of Gilgit on 13 January.
The Concordia's captain, Francesco Schettino, has been accused of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning ship before all those aboard were evacuated. He denies any wrongdoing The Concordia captain, Francesco Schettino, has been accused of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning ship before all those aboard were evacuated. He denies any wrongdoing
Are you on board the ship? Do you have friends or family on board? Please get in touch using the form below.Are you on board the ship? Do you have friends or family on board? Please get in touch using the form below.
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