Hundreds of passengers from a P&O cruise ship that crashed into an oil tanker during a storm in Spain have been flown home.
Flagship ship Britannia left the Mediterranean island of Palma de Mallorca on Monday and will return to Southampton, the cruise line said in a statement. The 330-meter (1,083-foot) vessel broke its moorings in strong winds and collided with the oil tanker on Sunday.
Surveyors found that one of the ship’s lifeboats was damaged beyond repair on board and maritime regulations require the ship to return to Southampton, the statement said. A small number of guests and crew members have left the ship and will transfer to Southampton or their departure point, the cruise line said. About 320 guests will go home early.
The ship is expected to arrive in Southampton on September 1, the company said.
Taking out the damaged lifeboats… we can’t see ourselves sailing today, Gibraltar has been canceled and they are trying to arrange flights for some passengers. pic.twitter.com/LgctLhlGRb
— Emma Peel MBE ☯️ (@madelynrogers) August 28, 2023
A user on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, who appears to be on board the Britannia, posted to say the damaged lifeboats were being removed and flights were being arranged for some passengers.
The ship was carrying thousands of passengers, a small number of whom were injured by falls and flying debris during the storm, according to media reports.
The Britannia cost 473 million pounds ($597 million) and can carry up to 3,647 passengers.
