A group of cruise ship passengers have sustained serious injuries in a bus accident while  P&O Pacific Dawn was in Vanuatu on Monday. The cruise company has confirmed that 12 guests from the cruise ship Pacific Dawn, were among those seriously injured in the bus crash. Local Media reports at least two people from Port Vila died in the head-on collision between a tour bus and another bus carrying locals.

The injured passengers are treated at the Local Hospital and some on board the ships medical center. Australia is dispatching air ambulances in order to assist three seriously injured passengers.

The bus was run by a tour local operator in Vanuatu, and the tragic accident happened when cruise passengers were returning from a tour to the Ekasup Cultural Village. The cruise ship is still in Vanuatu and the captain has announced that Pacific Dawn will not be sailing until all is sorted out.

P&O Cruises Australia released the following statement “We can confirm that there was a road accident in Port Vila this afternoon involving a tour bus run by a local operator. Initial reports are that 13 guests from Pacific Dawn were among those injured. A doctor from Pacific Dawn attended the scene to provide medical care and to support local emergency services. Passengers were either treated in the ship’s medical centre or at a local hospital and medical centre. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was alerted and we are receiving full consular support in Port Vila. P&O’s Care team in Australia has been activated and the families of passengers injured in the accident have already been contacted or are in the process of being contacted. Our current priority in Vila is to ensure our passengers and members of the local Ni-Van community are receiving all possible care. Further updates will be provided.”