Antarctica cruise ship "The Explorer" hits iceberg

November 23, 2007

A cruise ship named "The Explorer", with more than 150 passengers and crew, hit an iceberg off Antarctica.

No injuries have been reported among those rescued, after they were forced to abandon the sinking vessel and travel on lifeboats in sub-zero temperatures.

LONDON, Nov. 23 -- More than 150 passengers and crew from a cruise ship were safe and sound Friday after their vessel apparently hit an iceberg off Antarctica.

The Explorer was reported listing in the Bransfield Strait after the 154 aboard were taken aboard a Norwegian liner and transported to nearby King George Island.

The New York Times said reports from rescue ships on the scene indicated no injuries, although the Explorer was listing 40 degrees, which a spokesman for Toronto-based tour operator G.A.P. Adventures said was "not a good sign." A distress call was issued Thursday from the 40-year-old ship Thursday, which was designed for polar operations and had sailed from Argentina on Nov. 11.