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Stricken Costa cruise ship off Seychelles changes route | Stricken Costa cruise ship off Seychelles changes route |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Italian cruise ship left adrift with more than 1,000 people on board after a power failure now faces a longer journey before reaching land. | The Italian cruise ship left adrift with more than 1,000 people on board after a power failure now faces a longer journey before reaching land. |
The Costa Allegra is being towed to the main island in the Seychelles, rather than a nearer island, and is not now due to arrive until Thursday. | The Costa Allegra is being towed to the main island in the Seychelles, rather than a nearer island, and is not now due to arrive until 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. |
A statement from the ship's owners Costa Cruises said that after checking with maritime experts, it had decided that the planned disembarkation on the smaller-but-nearer Desroches Island could not go ahead. | A statement from the ship's owners Costa Cruises said that after checking with maritime experts, it had decided that the planned disembarkation on the smaller-but-nearer Desroches Island could not go ahead. |
It said the facilities on the island were inadequate to cope with the arrival of so many people. | It said the facilities on the island were inadequate to cope with the arrival of so many people. |
The statement also said it was not safe enough for the ship to dock in the small port and for guests to get ashore. | The statement also said it was not safe enough for the ship to dock in the small port and for guests to get ashore. |
The ship will now be towed around 250km (155 miles) further to the island of Mahe, which is home to the capital and largest city, Victoria. | The ship will now be towed around 250km (155 miles) further to the island of Mahe, which is home to the capital and largest city, Victoria. |
'Sincerely sorry' | 'Sincerely sorry' |
Two tugs approaching the ship are expected to help it arrive there on Thursday. | Two tugs approaching the ship are expected to help it arrive there on Thursday. |
The company said helicopters would ensure the continuous supply of food and "comfort items" including torches. | |
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, Costa Cruises stressed that the Allegra - which had been drifting about 32km (20 miles) from Alphonse Island - was steady and conditions were safe. No-one has been injured, officials said. | Earlier, Costa Cruises stressed that the Allegra - which had been drifting about 32km (20 miles) from Alphonse Island - was steady and conditions were safe. No-one has been injured, officials said. |
Of the 636 passengers and 413 crew on board, 135 are Italians and 127 French, along with nearly 100 Austrians, 90 Swiss and 31 Britons. | Of the 636 passengers and 413 crew on board, 135 are Italians and 127 French, along with nearly 100 Austrians, 90 Swiss and 31 Britons. |
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 signal | Distress signal |
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 facility on Costa Cruises' website allowing people to track the Allegro'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 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 | 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. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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