Royal Navy ship and helicopters scrambled to rescue cruise ship near Falkands

A Royal Navy ship and helicopters were scrambled to rescue a cruise ship which had reported an engine fire.

The Ministry of Defence said that British forces responded to a distress call by the 10,000 tonne cruise ship ‘Le Boreal’ yesterday.

Officials said the ship had reported a major engine room fire, which caused loss of all power and left the ship drifting.

The ship was placed in "real danger" of grounding on Cape Dolphin, East Falkland because of a northwesterly gale, the MoD said.

Its captain gave the order to 347 passengers and crew to abandon ship yesterday morning.

British Forces conducted a major Search and Rescue plan, working closely with the Falklands Islands Government.

Two Royal Air Force Sea King Search and Rescue helicopters were scrambled, along with two other support helicopters, a C130 Hercules and a Voyager aircraft for command and control.

The Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Clyde was dispatched along with Dutch tugs which support British Forces in the Falkland Islands.

The operation saw 79 people winched from the deck of the Le Boreal and from two life rafts in the water.

HMS Clyde provided assistance to two further lifeboats with over 200 evacuees on board, making sure they were brought to safety.

The evacuees were brought to the British Forces Base at Mount Pleasant where they received care, clothing, food and medical attention.