The Maltese-registered cruise ship Louis Cristal collided with the tanked Pimlico, bound for Malta from Russia early this morning near Gallipoli, according to international press reports.

Doğan News Agency said damage to the 162-meter-long cruise ship and the Marshall-Islands registered tanker was not serious.

The cruise ship was sailing from Greece to Istanbul.

There were no casualties but the 853 passengers on the cruise ship were evacuated.

The tanker took on a 15 degree list due to an explosion in a ballast tank.

The incident happened early this morning. The Dardanelles were briefly closed.

Transport Malta said its Marine Safety Investigation Unit is investigating the case in collaboration with the Marshall Islands authorities.