Dozens of P&O Cruises ship passengers hurt

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- An estimated 42 passengers were injured when a P&O Cruises ship encountered a storm about 400 miles from New Zealand, officials said.

A number of passengers were treated for broken bones and minor flesh wounds after the Pacific Sun encountered 25 foot swells and strong winds Wednesday, The Daily Telegraph reported.

A passenger said "anything not nailed down" on the ship, including people, flew through the air as the ship maneuvered through the storm.

The ship was traveling to Auckland, New Zealand, from the Pacific islands of Vanuatu with 1,732 passengers and 671 crew members when the storm hit, the newspaper said.

New Zealand maritime officials said they were making sure the ship was ready to begin another cruise Saturday. The newspaper said the ship was not severely damaged.