More than 1,000 passengers held on cruise after gastrointestinal illness outbreak

More than 1,000 passengers are being held on a UK-operated cruise ship in France after 49 people fell ill from gastrointestinal sickness.

Local health authorities in Bordeaux said three passengers had been isolated in their cabins on the Ambition, while other passengers will not be able to disembark in the port.

They added that there was "no reason" to link the outbreak to the hantavirus outbreak on a separate cruise ship.

Ambassador Cruise Line told the BBC a 92-year-old man had passed away onboard on Sunday, but he did not report any related symptoms and his cause of death is yet to be established by a coroner.

The cruise operator added: "We are providing every support to the deceased's friends and family and extend our most sincere condolences to them at this difficult time."

Ambassador Cruise Line said in a separate statement that as of 11:00 BST on Wednesday, 48 passengers were displaying symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness, as well as one crew member.

There are currently 1,187 guests and 514 crew members onboard the ship, according to its operator.

The cruise ship set sail from Belfast on 8 May, before heading to Liverpool the next day.

In its statement, Ambassador said there was a reported increase in cases after guests boarded in Liverpool.

It said "a number of guests and crew onboard Ambition have displayed or are displaying symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness".

Gastrointestinal illness is a common condition that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. Cases in adults are usually caused by norovirus or food poisoning.

The cruise line said enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols had been implemented across the ship "in line with established public health procedures following the initial reports of illness".

Measures introduced since the initial reports of illness included increased cleaning and disinfection in public areas, as well as ongoing guidance to guests about hand hygiene and reporting symptoms to the onboard medical team.

As part of a scheduled stop at Bordeaux in southwest France, the operator said it had advised French health authorities of the situation.

The regional health agency for Nouvelle-Aquitaine said a medical team had been dispatched on board to assess the situation, with samples currently being taken to the Bordeaux University Hospital.

It added that passenger disembarkations had been suspended "as a precautionary measure due to the contagiousness of gastroenteritis-type illnesses" while tests were being processed.

The cruise operator said the results would take at least six hours to process.

"The health, safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew remains our highest priority, and we are sincerely grateful for the patience, understanding and cooperation shown while these precautionary measures remain in place," it added.