Ferry with 780 passengers and crew runs aground in Baltic Sea

A ferry has run aground with 780 passengers on board after hitting a rock in stormy weather in the Baltic Sea.

The Viking Line ferry was heading from Finland to Sweden when it ran aground off the Aland Islands near Finland.

The Viking Isabella, sailing from Turku, is understood to be leaking but there are no reports of injuries and no-one is in immediate danger.

Initial plans to evacuate were called off once it was clear the Isabella remained seaworthy.

Pauli Rastas of the Turku Coast Guard, said: "The passengers are in no danger and the ferry will be taken to the nearest harbour in the Aland Islands as soon as it's possible.

"It is in no danger of sinking as the leak is in a fuel tank."

Helicopters from Finland and Sweden and nearby ships went to the aid of the ferry about 18 miles east of Aland's capital Mariehamn.

However she could not safely pull alongside because of high seas.