A luxury cruise ship stranded at sea for 24 hours because of a fire has safely reached a Malaysian port.

The Azamara Quest was adrift off the southern Philippines for 24 hours with 1,000 people aboard after flames engulfed one of its engine rooms on Friday night.

It restored propulsion yesterday, and reached the harbour of Sandakan city in Malaysia's eastern state of Sabah on Borneo island late today.

Police and buses were waiting at the port to take the passengers to a hotel.

Five crew members suffered smoke inhalation in the fire, including one who was seriously injured.

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