Cruise ship returns after rescue

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A British cruise ship rescued seven Algerians from a small boat spotted drifting in the Mediterranean.

The P&O cruise ship Oceana went to help the vessel after it was seen off the Balearic Islands on Thursday.

Despite rescue, one of the men died. The ship brought the surviving six back to Southampton, where they were interviewed by immigration officers.

The Home Office said people rescued at sea should be disembarked at the nearest place of safety.

No supplies

A Home Office spokesman said: "The men's eligibility for admission to the UK is being considered in line with the immigration rules.

"The Border and Immigration Agency is in liaison with the shipping agents regarding the incident.

"Under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea and Search and Rescue Conventions, persons rescued at sea should be disembarked at the nearest place of safety.

"The United Kingdom is supportive of the recommendations of the IMO and would aim to apply them with anyone rescued in our waters or elsewhere."

'Potentially dangerous'

Seven Algerians had been on board the vessel, which had run out of supplies and was drifting without lights or radio equipment.

Cruise ship passenger Steven Walker said the ship stopped in Gibraltar and one of the group was taken to hospital in Spain where he later died.

The Oceana, which carries more than 2,000 passengers and 875 crew, had been on a two-week cruise to the western Mediterranean.

Mr Walker, 55, from Ferndown, Dorset, said: "It was about 2am when the rescue happened, most of the passengers were asleep but they did put a warning out.

"The boat was drifting with no radio or lights.

"Obviously it was potentially quite dangerous so they sent an inflatable out to see what was going on and then brought them on board."

P&O declined to comment on the incident.