Costa Allegra nearing Mahé in Republic of Seychelles

http://www.euronews.net/ After a towing operation by French boats, the stricken Costa Allegra cruise ship is close to Mahé in the Republic of Seychelles.

Though the disabled vessel is nearby, it could take hours to actually dock at the main island of the Indian Ocean state.

A row over which boats would pull the ship along delayed the journey by hours, as Republic of Seychelles authorities argued their local tugboats would be quicker.

Over 1,000 passengers have been stuck on the cruise ship without electricity, air-conditioning or hot food since a fire broke out in the engine room on Monday.

Parent company Costa Cruises has reserved more than 600 airline seats too 400 hotel rooms for the ship’s passengers.