Antarctic tourism has multiplied by five in a little over the last decade, and there has been a reminder of just how dangerous an environment it is.

122 passengers and crew were 300 kilometres off the Argentine shore when the ship began to take on water and lose fuel.

Chile and Argentina have sent rescue ships, but it seems likely they will have a more comfortable time of it than tourists a year ago.

The victims will be able to wait in comfort on board their ship until rescue arrives, but last year’s accident saw 150 people, many of them elderly, forced to take to the lifeboats when their cruise ship went down after hitting an iceberg.

No reason for the latest accident has been given so far, and attempts are being made to contain any fuel spill.

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