A cruise ship was forced to delay its departure after shipping containers carrying bananas and other fruit fell overboard from a ship off the Isle of Wight.

The P&O Cruises ship Iona, which has a capacity of 5,200 passengers, had been due to leave Southampton on Saturday but was stuck in the Hampshire port following the accident.

Passengers were bound for a 14-day trip to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands.

A spokeswoman for the cruise firm said it had been given clearance to sail on Sunday lunchtime.

The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) said 16 containers had fallen into the sea near the Nab Tower lighthouse off Bembridge at about 6pm on Saturday. No crew members on the cargo ship were injured.

A spokeswoman said: “HM Coastguard is continuing to work with the relevant authorities

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