A cruise ship exploring the Northwest Passage in the Arctic ran aground on a rock that was not on the map.

Robert Bradbury of the Canadian Coast Guard said they got the call about the stranded Clipper Adventurer late on Friday.

Mr Bradbury said the icebreaker Amundsen was dispatched to the area and was expected to start removing passengers.

He said there were 197 people on board and no one was reported injured.

The passengers will be moved via the icebreaker to Kugluktuk, Nunavut, about 50 nautical miles away.

The 90-metre cruise ship is operated by Ontario-based Adventure Canada. The company said efforts by the crew to dislodge the vessel were unsuccessful and it now rests with a slight list.

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