A BRITISH CRUISE LINER OPERATED BY FRED OLSEN HAS BEEN DENIED ENTRY TO THE BAHAMAS AFTER FIVE PEOPLE ON BOARD TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS

HUNDREDS of Brits are stranded on the cruise ship in the Caribbean after a coronavirus outbreak on board. Passengers are now trapped on the Braemar, which is operated by British cruise firm Fred Olsen.

The ship’s 682 passengers, many of whom are elderly, and 381 crew are now anchored 25 miles off the coast of the Caribbean island.

Relatives of some of those on board the ship say they are “terrified” and there’s been no word on how staff will cope if more people fall ill.

Although some passengers are self-isolating, most are permitted to leave their cabins.

The Braemar has already been refused permission to dock at Freetown in the Bahamas. It is anchored 25 miles from the coast and extra medical supplies and food have been air-dropped to the deck.

If the British government cannot persuade countries in the region to allow the ship to dock, the Braemar could be forced to sail back to the UK with all passengers – including those with the virus – on board.

The Foreign Office says it is working ‘urgently’ to get Brits home and is negotiating with other countries in the region in the hope they will be allowed to disembark.