Costa cruise passengers were prepared ‘to jump from ship’

The Costa Allegra’s captain said passengers had put on life vests and were ready to abandon ship as his crew fought a fire in the engine room that left the vessel adrift and powerless.

One passenger said he and his wife had contemplated jumping into the sea as the ship, with more than 1,000 passengers and crew onboard, stalled in an area of the Indian Ocean where Somali pirates prey on merchant shipping.

“We thought the worst had happened. I couldn’t believe it, after what happened to the other cruise ship. I could just picture having to jump for it into the water — my wife was terrified,” Chris told reporters as angry and exhausted passengers disembarked in the Seychelles.