Cruise passenger evacuated to hospital

A North American was evacuated by helicopter last night from the cruise liner Rotterdam which was on her way to Malta. Adalberto Herrera, 69, who was suffering from internal bleeding was accompanied onboard by the ship's nurse. They were both conveyed to Mater Dei Hospital at about 8, the Armed Forces of Malta said.

The vessel had left the Egyptian port of Alexandria and was proceeding to Malta. She is expected to enter Grand Harbour this morning at 6.30.

The Netherlands-registered ship rendezvoused when she was about 125 miles from Malta with the Italian Air Force helicopter which left from the AFM base in Luqa.