Stricken cruise ship repaired, heading to Sabah

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Coast Guard said a cruise ship with 1,000 people on board that was disabled by a fire in waters in the southern Philippines has been repaired and is sailing toward Sabah.

Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Algier Ricafrente says the Azamara Quest’s power and propulsion have been restored. It began moving slowly toward Sandakan late Saturday.

In a statement posted on its website, the Azamara Club Cruises confirmed that ship’s engineers were been able to restore the propulsion of the luxury liner.

It said Azamara Quest  was expected to arrive in Sandakan within 24 to 28 hours.

Meanwhile, the injured crewmember who was earlier reported to be in unstable condition has improved, it said.

The Azamara Quest has cancelled the rest of its voyage that was supposedly to end April 12.