VICTORIA, Seychelles (AP) — Passengers disembarking from a disabled cruise ship that docked in the island nation of the Seychelles after three days at sea without power described hot and trying conditions.
American Gordon Bradwell says he and his wife ate cold sandwiches for three days and moved their bedding onto the deck to escape the stifling heat indoors after a fire left the Costa Allegra without power on Monday and also without air conditioning.
Eleanor Bradwell says that the initial response to the alarm seemed to be disorganized but overall she and her husband felt the shipping line had handled the emergency well.
Dozens of officials flocked to the port Thursday to help passengers ashore, some of whom applauded as the ship approached land.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
VICTORIA, Seychelles (AP) — Relieved passengers are disembarking from a disabled cruise ship docked in the island nation of the Seychelles Thursday after three days at sea without power.
Dozens of officials flocked to the port to help passengers, some of whom applauded as the Costa Allegra neared shore.
An unidentified Italian passenger told Sky TG24 TV in the port of Mahe' that it was "very difficult" to be aboard the boat without electric power but that there was no panic. A fire in the generator room knocked out power on Monday as the ship was cruising from Madagascar to the Seychelles. A French fishing boat then towed the Allegra.
Tour operators lined up dozens of buses to take passengers to either the airport or a resort. Disembarkation of the more than 1,000 people onboard was expected to take several hours.
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