P&O cruise ship carrying thousands of Brits smashes into oil tanker off Majorca as ‘severe’ 55mph STORMS slam Balearics
THOUSANDS of Brits have been left stranded after 55mph gales sent a P&O cruise ship hurtling into an oil tanker in the Balearics.
The Brittania carrying thousands of Brit visitors snapped its moorings as it docked in Palma, Majorca, in horror high winds and smashed the nearby vessel.
Footage shows the vast 140,000-tonne ship moving off from the dock before hitting the tanker.
A Brit passenger on the boat told Wales Online how the captain “ordered everyone to their muster stations” and added: “This is not a drill.”
Meanwhile, shocking footage of poolside furniture being tossed in blustery gales and people sprinting through heavy rain has been posted online today.
One video shared by BBC NI weatherman Barra Best shows a beach structure being lifted by piercing winds and smashing into tourists’ balconies at a coastal hotel.
Flights across the islands face delays and cancellations over the brutal weather conditions.
The 112 emergency service in the Balearics reported 84 storm-related incidents in Majorca in the space of a matter of an hour on Sunday, Majorca Daily Bulletin reported.
Trees were topped and basements flooded while a pregnant woman was injured by a falling sign.
Weather warnings are in place for the Med resorts of Ibiza, Majorca, Formentera and Menorca as they face thundery deluges and powerful gales today.
“Severe” orange warnings for 55mph gusts and more than two inches of rain per hour are in place across the islands – which are packed with thousands of sun-seeking Brits hoping to catch last-minute summer sunshine.
Alerts are in place for the seas around the islands with dangerous 10ft swells expected.
Temperatures are struggling to top 20C – the same temperature being forecast in Kent today.
And the grim weather is set to continue into tomorrow with moderate rain and wind warnings in place across all four islands.
A spokesperson for P&O Cruises said: “We are aware of an incident involving Britannia on Sunday morning while the ship was alongside in Palma de Majorca.
“We are working to assess the situation. The captain is keeping all guests updated.”