Hundreds of passengers to be flown home after P&O vessel 'crashes into petrol tanker'

Britannia was said to have come free from its mooring during the storm and bumped into another vessel on Sunday.

A total of 321 people will soon fly home following the incident.

The ship will also soon return to Southampton with a reduced number of passengers.

A spokesperson from P&O Cruises said that a small number of passengers sustained minor injuries.

Passengers were treated by personnel from the onboard medical centre.

A P&O Cruises spokesman said: “On Sunday August 27, P&O Cruises Britannia was impacted by severe weather when alongside in Palma de Mallorca.

“Following inspections, our third-party surveyor has confirmed that one of Britannia’s lifeboats has sustained structural issues and cannot be repaired onboard.

“We are so sorry but these extraordinary circumstances mean that the ship is required, by maritime regulation, to return to Southampton with a reduced number of people on board.

“A limited number of guests and crew on board have been advised that they will be leaving the ship and will be returned to Southampton (or their starting point) by flight and transfer.

“The guests remaining on board will be able to enjoy the entertainment and activities scheduled for the remainder of their trip.”

Britannia departed from Palma de Mallorca on Monday.

The vessel is expected to reach the Hampshire coast on Friday, a spokesperson added.

Adverse conditions at Palma de Mallorca airport led to further travel chaos as more than 20 flights were cancelled.

Mallorca experienced 75 mile per hour winds and torrential rain, leading to weather warnings in places.