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Azamara cruise ship sails for Malaysia after fire repairs Azamara cruise ship sails for Malaysia after fire repairs
(40 minutes later)
A cruise ship disabled by a fire has been repaired and is sailing slowly from Philippines waters to Malaysia, the Philppine coastguard says. A cruise ship disabled by a fire has been repaired and is sailing slowly from Philippines waters to Malaysia, the ship's operator says.
Fire broke out on the Azamara Quest on Friday, a day after the ship left Manila for Sandakan, Malaysia, carrying 1,001 people. Five crew were injured. Fire broke out on the Azamara Quest on Friday, a day after it left Manila for Malaysia, with 1,001 people on board.
The ship's operator, Azamara Club Cruises, said none of the passengers were hurt. Operator Azamara Club Cruises said five crew suffered smoke inhalation but that no passengers were injured.
The ship was now travelling at a speed of three to six knots and should reach Sandakan, Malaysia,in two days.
"The crew members are being treated in our medical facility. The condition of the one crew member that was more severely injured has improved, but is still serious."
The ship is owned by the world's second largest cruise firm, Royal Caribbean.The ship is owned by the world's second largest cruise firm, Royal Caribbean.
A coastguard spokesman, Lt Cdr Algier Ricafrente, said the Azamara Quest was moving slowly towards Sandakan port. A coastguard vessel was approaching the ship, he said.
Lt Cdr Ricafrente earlier said the cruise ship was carrying 590 passengers and 411 crew.
Azamara Club Cruises said the blaze - in one of the ship's engine rooms - had been immediately extinguished.Azamara Club Cruises said the blaze - in one of the ship's engine rooms - had been immediately extinguished.
The company said the atmosphere on the ship was calm. "The damage caused by the fire will require us to cancel the rest of Azamara Quest's voyage once the ship arrives in Sandakan," it said.
"However, in an abundance of caution, the captain deemed it necessary to muster all guests at their assembly stations," it said. A coastguard spokesman, Lt Cdr Algier Ricafrente, said a coastguard vessel was approaching the Azamara Quest. He said the ship's captain had earlier emailed to say everything was "under control" and that it did not require assistance.
The injured crew members suffered smoke inhalation and one of them needed hospital care. But Cdr Ricafrente said the coastguard would provide assistance while the ship was "inside our area of responsibility". Another spokesman said a Philippine Navy ship would escort the ship until it crossed into Malaysian waters.
Azamara Club Cruises earlier said engineers had restored power to one of the ship's engines to restart air conditioning, running water, refrigeration and food preparation and that the vessel was in "calm seas". Cdr Ricafrente earlier said the cruise ship was carrying 590 passengers and 411 crew.
Cdr Ricafrente said a Manila-based ferry and towage company had alerted the coastguard to the fire but there had been no direct contact with the ship's crew. He said the coastguard had been alerted to the fire by a Manila-based ferry and towage company and that it would be investigating why the Azamara Quest's crew had not issued a distress call.
He said the coastguard would investigate why the Azamara Quest's crew had not issued a distress call. The ship had been 139km (75 nautical miles) south-west of the Philippines' Tubbataha Reef when the coastguard heard of the incident.
The boat had been 139km (75 nautical miles) south-west of the Philippines' Tubbataha Reef when the coastguard heard of the incident.
Lt Cdr Ricafrente said two coastguard vessels and a patrol boat were expected to reach the ship later on Saturday. Another coastguard spokesman later said a Philippine Navy ship would escort the ship until it had crossed into Malaysian waters.
Compensation offerCompensation offer
Azamara Club Cruises said the rest of the ship's voyage would be cancelled. Up to 60 Britons are reported to be on board. Up to 60 Britons are reported to be on board the Azamara Quest.
One passenger, Deborah Garnett from Yorkshire, said dinner was about to be served when the fire broke out.One passenger, Deborah Garnett from Yorkshire, said dinner was about to be served when the fire broke out.
"One of the engineers ran up covered in oil, running through the dining room and smoke filled the dining room and everybody was evacuated and given life jackets," she said."One of the engineers ran up covered in oil, running through the dining room and smoke filled the dining room and everybody was evacuated and given life jackets," she said.
"The captain was dining and he ran after the engineer and went onto the bridge. Obviously, it was a bit of a panic and people were worried because they thought they were going to have to lower the lifeboats.""The captain was dining and he ran after the engineer and went onto the bridge. Obviously, it was a bit of a panic and people were worried because they thought they were going to have to lower the lifeboats."
Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it was sending a team to the region to meet the ship and see what consular assistance it could provide.Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it was sending a team to the region to meet the ship and see what consular assistance it could provide.
It said anyone with concerns about those on board could find further information on the Azamara Quest Facebook page, website, or by calling the cruise operator's hot line on 001-408-916-9001.It said anyone with concerns about those on board could find further information on the Azamara Quest Facebook page, website, or by calling the cruise operator's hot line on 001-408-916-9001.
Earlier this year, 32 people died when a cruise ship owned by another firm - Carnival - ran aground off the coast of Italy. A month later another Carnival ship lost power for three days in the Indian Ocean.Earlier this year, 32 people died when a cruise ship owned by another firm - Carnival - ran aground off the coast of Italy. A month later another Carnival ship lost power for three days in the Indian Ocean.
Are you, or do you know anyone, on board the Azamara Quest? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you, or do you know anyone, on board the Azamara Quest? Send us your comments and experiences 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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