Cruise liner Costa Concordia, which was in Malta on Friday, hit the quay in Palermo harbour yesterday as a result of the storm that has hit the central Mediterranean over the past 24 hours.

The bow of the cruise liner was damaged but no injuries were registered among the passengers and crew.

Meanwhile, as a result of the wind and rough seas, the ferry Excellent of the Grandi Navi Veloci line was forced to return to Palermo because the high waves had broken the bridge windows. The ship was on its way to Genoa.