Ambulances hastily board Plymouth ferry following a significant outbreak of food poisoning.

After a food poisoning incident was reported onboard, hundreds of Brits were forced to dock at a French port.

A passenger aboard the Pont-Avon Ferry told GB News "dozens" of ambulances were waiting at the quayside as the ferry arrived in Brest, France today.

The ferry has a capacity for 2,400 passengers and 650 vehicles. It left Santander, Spain, at 6pm yesterday night. However, passengers told GB News they were shocked to see it urgently diverted into France this morning.

Finistere in the north-west region of France released a press release this morning, confirming that a food poisoning incident was suspected on the Brittany Ferries Pont-Aven Ferry.

The airline said that since last night, 34 crew members had shown symptoms of food poisoning. No passengers were affected.

The broadcaster was told by a Briton who requested anonymity that he had "no information" about the incident from either the crew or local authorities.

"Dozens of stretchers were rushed onto the ferry and several ambulances left the port with flashing blue lights. This is clearly a massive medical emergency," they mentioned.

They added: "There is no information from the crew, which is fuelling speculation on board as ambulances keep leaving with flashing lights."

On the current situation, they said: "The Brits are now manning the bar and the police are now arriving en masse."

A spokesperson for Brittany Ferries said to GB News that "early this morning, a number crew members aboard Brittany Ferries Pont-Aven reported feeling unwell."

"As a precaution, the ship - currently on its scheduled sailing from Santander to Plymouth --- diverted to the port of Brest to allow shore-based medical teams to carry out a full medical evaluation.|

"The diversion followed consultation with - and direction of - the French Centre de Consultation Medicale Maritime (CCMM, Maritime Medical Advisory Centre) based in Purpan, Toulouse, and the French coastguard Centres regionaux operationnels de surveillance et de secours."
"The ship arrived in Brest at 11:30 French local time, following a passenger announcement."

"Pont-Aven is currently carrying 982 passengers and 144 crew members. The ship departed Santander at 1810 local time on Monday and was scheduled to arrive in Plymouth at 1530 this today."

"No passengers are reported to be unwell."

"At this stage we do not know whether affected crew members will disembark in Brest, or at what time the ship will be able to continue its journey to Plymouth."

"We apologise to passengers affected by the diversion and delay, and would like to thank them for their patience."

"We will release more information as soon as it becomes available."

Source: gbnews.com