cruise liner crash

A luxury cruise liner has crashed into a dock at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh, killing three members of the crew, officials say.

At least four other people were hurt when the Costa Europa, carrying 1,473 passengers, came into the harbour during bad weather at 0445 (0145 GMT).

The dead sailors were an Indian, a Honduran and a Brazilian, the General Authority for Red Sea Ports said.

The injured reportedly include three British women and an Italian man.

They were in a stable condition in hospital, officials told the AFP news agency.

In a statement, Costa Cruises confirmed that the Costa Europa had damaged the starboard side of the hull, but said it was "now safely docked in port".

"We sadly have to confirm the deaths of three crew members," the Italian company said.

"The guests have been disembarked and are being accommodated in local hotels," it added.

Witnesses said Sharm al-Sheikh had been hit by fierce winds overnight and that the crash had left a 2m-wide hole in the hull.

The Costa Europa was on an 18-day cruise from Dubai to Savona, and had arrived in Sharm al-Sheikh from the Egyptian port of Safaga