[Mrluvaluva]

From Sky News

A Greek cruise ship has run aground near the Aegean Sea island of Santorini.

The 1,200 passengers and 400-strong crew aboard are being evacuated in the ship's life boats.

The Greek-flagged Sea Diamond issued a distress signal after listing near Santorini's port, the Merchant Marine Ministry said.

Four navy rescue helicopters, a military transport plane and four warships are aiding the evacuation effort.

Officials said the Sea Diamond, run by Louis Cruise Lines, had left the Athens port of Piraeus on Monday for a five-day island cruise.

The ship is thought to have hit rocks half a nautical mile from the port of Santorini.

"The boat was attempting to moor but ran aground in shallow waters," a local boatman told private Antenna television.

"Weather conditions are good, but the ship is taking on water and has listed heavily."

Witnesses quoted on state-run NET television said hundreds of passengers - mostly from the United States and Germany - could be seen on the deck of the ship waiting to be rescued.