- Thirty passengers were rescued after a cruise ship, the MV Fiji Princess, ran aground on a reef near Monuriki Island in Fiji on Saturday.
- The ship, operated by Blue Lagoon Cruises, became stranded in an area famously featured in the 2000 Tom Hanks film Cast Away.
- “Whilst the investigation is in its early stages, conditions upon the ship anchoring in the area were calm, and it appears a severe squall caused the ship’s anchor to drag towards a nearby reef whereby the ship became grounded,” the company said in a statement.
- The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji said the ship had serious damage to its rear left side and underneath and experienced engine failure.
- A ferry was brought alongside the 55.52-meter (182-foot) ship at first light Sunday and 30 passengers disembarked with their luggage. No one was injured.
IN FULL
Passengers evacuated after cruise ship runs aground near Cast Away island
