Cruise ship evacuated in France after fire breaks out

A cruise ship in France was evacuated early Monday morning after a fire broke out on board.

The fire began at around 3.30am in the galley of the MS Botticelli, which was sailing on the Seine River between Paris and Normandy.

The ship, carrying 132 passengers and 31 crew members, was moored in the port of Honfleur, France, while firefighters tackled the blaze.

Everyone on board was evacuated and taken to safety in a hall provided by the town, according to French media outlets.

French, Belgian, Spanish, Australian and German nationals were aboard the ship when it was evacuated.

The fire produced thick plumes of smoke, prompting a major emergency response, including the deployment of two specialist teams trained to tackle ship fires.

By around 8am, firefighters were still working to bring the blaze under control, with the vessel believed to have suffered extensive damage.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no injuries have been reported.