Brits ‘forgotten’ on ship

Britons stranded on a cruise ship in Japan by the coronavirus outbreak have accused the Foreign Office of refusing to repatriate them because of World Health Organisation advice.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office acknowledged yesterday that that was one of the options they were ‘‘urgently considering’’.

David Abel said that he and his wife were among 78 British people who could be stuck on the Diamond Princess for up to eight more weeks, while America, Canada and Australia made arrangements to fly home their citizens. More than 40 Americans on the ship have been infected and will have to stay behind as 400 of their compatriots are flown back to the US, where they will endure a 14-day quarantine period.

The ship is berthed in Yokohama, which has reported the largest cluster of infections of Covid-19 outside China. Some 3700 crew and passengers have been in quarantine since February 3 after an 80-year-old man tested positive for the virus.

Abel has been posting social media updates from the ship since he was stranded, issuing regular pleas to be taken home.

‘‘There are no arrangements for the British to be taken home.

Not even a hint of a rumour,’’ he said. ‘‘We have had contact from the Foreign Office, through the British embassy in Tokyo, to say they’re working round the clock. But reading what they’ve also included in that message to us, that’s been printed and delivered to all the Brits on board, that in line with the World Health Organisation, they do not feel it’s right . . . for us to be sent back to our home country. Every country except the UK has become involved and that is really wonderful for the people on board. Every country apart from the United Kingdom.

‘‘Can I just tell you, UK, how this makes me really feel? It feels like we’ve been forgotten, like you don’t really care about us, and that you’re actually not wanting us to come home.’’

The Foreign Office spokeswoman said the government was working with the authorities in Japan and added: ‘‘We sympathise with all those caught up in this extremely difficult situation. We are urgently considering all options to guarantee the health and safety of the British people on board the Diamond Princess, in line with the latest advice from the Chief Medical Officer and the World Health Organisation, and are working closely with the Japanese authorities and our international partners.’’ –

AP Buses carrying US passengers who were aboard the quarantined cruise ship the Diamond Princess, seen in background, leave Yokohama port, near Tokyo, early yesterday. The cruise ship was carrying 3700 passengers and crew members under quarantine.