An Italian cruise ship collided with a Belgian cargo vessel off the Chinese port of Shanghai today, with several passengers requiring medical treatment, the cruise company said.

The accident happened as the cruise ship Costa Classica approached Shanghai after a three-day voyage from South Korea, Costa Crociere said in a statement, but the cause of the accident was not specified.

"Immediately after the accident, some passengers reported minor injuries to medical personnel on board. Three went to a Shanghai medical facility for further examination," the statement said.

The ship sustained some damage on its starboard side, and the company cancelled a cruise bound for Hong Kong which had been due to start later the same day.

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