Storm snaps P&O Britannia's moorings in Palma

       A P&O cruise ship will be heading straight back to its base in Southampton early after the cruise liner was involved in a crash with an oil tanker during a severe storm in Majorca.

       The ship, called Britannia, also reportedly came free from its mooring during the storm and was involved in a bump with another vessel on Sunday, August 27.

       A P&O Cruises spokesperson has said a small number of people suffered from minor injuries during the collision, but they did not need hospital treatment.

       The ship was carrying thousands of passengers but 321 of them will now leave the ship and be flown back to their original starting point – Southampton.

       READ MORE: Video shows Majorca hotel wrecked by powerful storm behind P&O cruise crash [LATEST]

       The ship was carrying thousands of passengers but 321 of them will now leave the ship (Image: Getty Images)

       On August 27, P&O Cruises Britannia was hit by severe weather and hurricane-strength winds. Following inspections, a third-party surveyor discovered one of Britannia’s lifeboats sustained "structural issues" and cannot be repaired onboard. This affected the passenger ratio.

       The P&O Cruises spokesperson added: "We are so sorry but these extraordinary circumstances mean that the ship is required, by maritime regulation, to return to Southampton with a reduced number of people on board."

       "A limited number of guests and crew on board have been advised that they will be leaving the ship and will be returned to Southampton (or their starting point) by flight and transfer."

       The cruise line explained the rest of the guests will be able to "enjoy entertainment and activities" on board for the remainder of the trip.

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       Passenger decks were damaged by the collision between the two vessels (Image: Wales Online)

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       Britannia left Palma in Majorca on Monday and the cruise ship is expected to reach Southampton on Friday.

       The ship, packed with British travellers, hurtled into a tanker in the Balaerics. Eye-witnesses were "panicking" and described how staff were rushing around as footage showed poolside furniture being strewn across the decks.

       The Britannia, a 330-metre high ship able to carry up to 3,647 passengers, left Southampton on August 18 for the Mediterranean cruise trip, which stops at Cadiz and Ibiza.

       Majorca Daily Bulletin reported that 84 storm-related incidents were recorded in the space of just one hour on August 24 as hurricane-force winds, reaching more than 75mph, hit Mallorca.

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