Cruise ship passenger died in 'adverse sea conditions'

CMV regrets to advise that earlier today their cruise ship m/s Marco Polo, en-route to her home port of Tilbury from the Azores, was hit by a freak wave during adverse sea conditions in the south western approaches of the English Channel.

One elderly passenger has died and a further passenger has been airlifted for further shore-side medical assistance.

The vessel sailed from Tilbury on January 5 and is carrying 735 mainly British passengers and 349 crew.

Our thoughts are very much with these passengers and their families during this difficult time."