Cruise Ship Adrift Off Seychelles

Posted February 27th, 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
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An Italian cruise ship with about 1,000 people on board is reported to be adrift off the coast of Seychelles.

The Italian coast guard said Monday the Costa Allegra is drifting in the Indian Ocean, between Madagascar and the Seychelles islands.

Officials say a fire on board caused the ship's engines to fail. There have been no reports of injuries.

Nearby vessels have been alerted of the problem and have been asked to help.

The vessel is operated by the same company that operated that Costa Concordia, which capsized last month after hitting rocks off the coast of Italy. More than 4,200 passengers were board, and at least 25 people perished in that accident.

Italian prosecutors have filed charges against three executives of Costa Crociere, the Concordia's operator, along with four of the vessel's officers.