Britons injured in Egypt cruise liner crash

A luxury cruise liner crashed into a port in Egypt today killing three crew members and injuring three British tourists.

The ship, carrying nearly 1,500 passengers, slammed into the pier as it docked in Sharm el-Sheikh in fierce winds.

The liner was evacuated after springing a leak from a 2m-wide hole as it banged into the dock at about 4.45am.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that three British nationals were hospitalised whilst evacuating a cruise ship in the port of Sharm el-Sheikh.

"All British nationals have now been discharged."

It is understood the three women suffered only minor injuries.

Police and rescue officials said the three dead crew members included an Indian, a Brazilian and an Honduran.

The ship's owner, Costa Crociera, said in a statement: "We sadly have to confirm the deaths of three crew members.

"The ship is now safely docked in port."

The company said passengers were being put up in hotels and arrangements were being made to return them to their home countries.

An Egyptian security official said the collision with the port left a 2m hole in the body of the ship.

The Costa Europa ship had been on an 18-day cruise from Dubai to Savona.