SANDAKAN, Malaysia - A stricken luxury cruise ship, carrying 1,000 people including 45 Canadians, has safely reached a Malaysian port.
The Azamara Quest was adrift off the southern Philippines for 24 hours after flames engulfed one of its engine rooms Friday night.
It restored propulsion the next night and reached the harbour of Sandakan city in Malaysia's eastern state of Sabah on Borneo island late Sunday.
Police and buses were waiting at the port to take the passengers to a hotel. Consular officials from several countries, including Canada and the U.S., were also present.
Five crew members suffered smoke inhalation, including one who was seriously injured.
It was the latest in a series of accidents hitting luxury cruise liners since January, when the Costa Concordia capsized off the coast of Italy, killing 32 people.
The vessel is carrying 590 passengers and 411 crew members. Over one-third, or 201, of the passengers are American.
The passengers from 25 countries also include 98 from Britain, 89 from Australia, 39 from Germany, 32 from Austria, 16 from Belgium, 14 from New Zealand and 14 from Switzerland.
The ship is owned by Azamara Club Cruises of Miami.
The lists of passenger and crew nationalities were provided by the ship's captain to the Philippine Coast Guard.
