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Antarctic cruise ship evacuated Antarctic cruise ship evacuated
(10 minutes later)
More than 150 passengers and crew have been rescued from a stricken tourist ship after it hit ice off Antarctica.More than 150 passengers and crew have been rescued from a stricken tourist ship after it hit ice off Antarctica.
The M/S Explorer is listing at 30 degrees close to the South Shetland Islands, in the Antarctic Ocean.The M/S Explorer is listing at 30 degrees close to the South Shetland Islands, in the Antarctic Ocean.
Susan Hayes, of Gap Adventures, which owns the ship, said some 100 passengers and 54 crew members were evacuated to lifeboats and then to another ship.Susan Hayes, of Gap Adventures, which owns the ship, said some 100 passengers and 54 crew members were evacuated to lifeboats and then to another ship.
The firm said 23 Britons, 17 Dutch, 10 Australians, 13 Americans and 10 Canadians were among the passengers.The firm said 23 Britons, 17 Dutch, 10 Australians, 13 Americans and 10 Canadians were among the passengers.
The remaining nationalities of the rescued tourists are Chinese, Danish, Swiss, Japanese, French, German and Irish. The remaining nationalities of the rescued tourists are Irish, Danish, Swiss, Belgian, Japanese, French, German and Chinese.
'Fist-sized crack''Fist-sized crack'
All the passengers were transferred to a nearby vessel, the Endeavour, and a Norwegian cruise ship, the Nordnorge, said the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).All the passengers were transferred to a nearby vessel, the Endeavour, and a Norwegian cruise ship, the Nordnorge, said the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
The BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Buenos Aires says they are now on their way to port in Ushuaia, on Argentina's southern tip, from where they disembarked on 11 November for a 19-day cruise through the Drake Passage.The BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Buenos Aires says they are now on their way to port in Ushuaia, on Argentina's southern tip, from where they disembarked on 11 November for a 19-day cruise through the Drake Passage.
The MCA said it was informed at 0524 GMT on Friday of the incident involving the 2,400-tonne vessel.The MCA said it was informed at 0524 GMT on Friday of the incident involving the 2,400-tonne vessel.
Graphic: Key facts about MV ExplorerGraphic: Key facts about MV Explorer
The expedition ship ran into trouble approximately 120km (75 miles) north of the Antarctic Peninsula.The expedition ship ran into trouble approximately 120km (75 miles) north of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Ms Hayes, vice-president of marketing for Toronto-based Gap Adventures, told the BBC News website: "The M/S Explorer hit a lump of ice off King George Island this morning and the impact left the vessel with a crack in the hull the size of a fist.Ms Hayes, vice-president of marketing for Toronto-based Gap Adventures, told the BBC News website: "The M/S Explorer hit a lump of ice off King George Island this morning and the impact left the vessel with a crack in the hull the size of a fist.
"All passengers and crew have been evacuated, they are all accounted for and are safe and well and have been transferred to another vessel.""All passengers and crew have been evacuated, they are all accounted for and are safe and well and have been transferred to another vessel."
The captain and the chief officer remained on board while everyone was evacuated.The captain and the chief officer remained on board while everyone was evacuated.
Gap Adventures said the ship was listing at 30 degrees and that pumps were being used to stop the ship sinking.Gap Adventures said the ship was listing at 30 degrees and that pumps were being used to stop the ship sinking.
The rescue operation was co-ordinated by the Ushuaia coastguard.The rescue operation was co-ordinated by the Ushuaia coastguard.
The 19-day cruise costs around $11,600 (£5,630), not including international flights.The 19-day cruise costs around $11,600 (£5,630), not including international flights.
Coastguards said the weather conditions were good for this time of year. Coastguards said the weather conditions were good for this time of year, though the average temperature is still -5C.
MV EXPLORER Built: 1969, FinlandCapacity: 100 passengersTonnage: 2,400 Cruising speed: 11 knotsEngines: 3,800 hp dieselsCrew: 54 First custom-built expedition shipKnown as the 'Little Red Ship' to aficionadosBecame the first passenger vessel to navigate the North West passage in 1984Involved in rescue of crew from Argentine cargo vessel off Anvers Island, Antarctica, in 1989MV EXPLORER Built: 1969, FinlandCapacity: 100 passengersTonnage: 2,400 Cruising speed: 11 knotsEngines: 3,800 hp dieselsCrew: 54 First custom-built expedition shipKnown as the 'Little Red Ship' to aficionadosBecame the first passenger vessel to navigate the North West passage in 1984Involved in rescue of crew from Argentine cargo vessel off Anvers Island, Antarctica, in 1989
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