Passengers safe after ship hits Caribbean sandbank

More than 1,130 passengers are safe after their cruise ship ran aground in the Caribbean.

There were 170 UK tourists among those on board the 49,700-tonne Festival Cruises ship Mistral when it hit a sandbank off the island of Nevis.

Festival's Greek owners say none of the passengers has had to leave the ship.

There were early reports that the 1999-built vessel was taking on 2,400 gallons of water an hour after this morning's incident.

However, Theodore Kontes, Festival's vice chairman of operations, said there had only been "a very small leakage".

The liner has 598 cabins, including 80 suites with private balconies and a crew of 470.

Facilities include two featured restaurants, bars, theatre, night club, a topside discotheque and observation lounge.

Other attractions include promenades, shopping galleries, library and card rooms, child and youth facilities, a large high-tech health spa, swimming pools and an outdoors thalassotherapy unit.