Ship sinking in Antarctic waters

LONDON, England (AP) -- More than 150 people have abandoned a sinking cruise liner that struck an object in Antarctic waters, Britain's Coast Guard said.

Media reports said the ship, believed to be the MV Explorer, was going down near the South Shetland Islands, south of Argentina. The area is in a sector of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom.

Tour companies describe the Explorer as a passenger ship which runs tours between South America and Antarctica.

Some 154 people are reported to be on board ship, which carries a Liberian flag, including 100 passengers. However the nationalities of those on board is not yet known.

Coastguards in Britain, who are helping the sinking vessel, said it was expected to go down shortly.

Mark Clark, a spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency told the Press Association five ships were on their way to help the sinking vessel.

"She hit something and is taking on a serious amount of water, that is all we know."

He added: "There was a lot of ice in the area, but the vessel was built to withstand ice."

Passengers and crew are said to be on lifeboats, but the captain and the first officer are reported to have stayed on board