Passengers held on cruise ship in France after gastroenteritis outbreak

More than 1,000 passengers are being held on a UK-operated cruise ship in France after 49 people fell ill with gastroenteritis.

Local authorities in Bordeaux said three passengers had been isolated in their cabins on the Ambition, while other passengers will not be able to disembark in the port.

They added that there was "no reason" to link the outbreak to the hantavirus outbreak on a separate cruise ship.

Ambassador Cruise Line told the BBC in a statement that enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols had been implemented across the ship "in line with established public health procedures following the initial reports of illness".

It added that as of 11:00 BST on Wednesday, 48 passengers were displaying symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness, as well as one crew member.

The cruise ship set sail from Belfast on 8 May, before heading to Liverpool the next day.

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