CRUISE SHIP HITS ROCKS OFF IBIZA

THREE hundred passengers were evacuated from a cruise ship in the early hours of yesterday morning after the liner Vista Mar hit rocks and started taking on water between the islands of Ibiza and Formentera. The cruise ship, which had set sail from Palma, hit the rocks at 5.30am, apparently knocking out the ship's control system. None of the 300 Spanish passengers and 120 crew were injured and the stricken cruise ship was eventually towed in to Botafoc Harbour, Ibiza, by a salvage vessel. Emergency repairs were immediately undertaken to prevent any further damage, but the Vista Mar will have to be taken to another port for more complicated repairs in a few days time. Once in port, a safety barrier was placed round the ship to prevent any pollution while industrial pumps were being used to pump out the interior. Balearic Interior Minister, Josep Maria Costa, flew to the scene yesterday morning, to inspect the ship, learn of what happened and to also ensure that the passengers, accommodated in various hotels, were well and being looked after. Ibiza Marine Captain, Juan Valera, said yesterday afternoon that the two main priorities are “to save the ship and prevent the port of Ibiza being polluted.”