Disabled Italian cruise ship gets a tow

Rome (CNN) -- A large French fishing ship began towing a disabled Italian cruise ship to port early Tuesday -- a day after a fire in its engine room left it adrift, the Seychelles Coast Guard said.

Two tug boats also were said to be en route, but weren't expected to arrive for several hours.

The ship, the Costa Alegra, lost power in the Indian Ocean Monday with 636 passengers on board and a crew of 413, according to the Costa Cruises website.

Most of the passengers were from Europe, but eight were from the United States and 13 were from Canada.

The cruise line said it had reached the emergency contacts of 402 passengers to inform them of the situation.

All the passengers were in good health, the Italian coast guard said Monday.

The ship departed from Diego Suarez, Madagascar, on Saturday and was originally scheduled to arrive in the Seychelles Tuesday.

The Allegra is a sister of the Costa Concordia, which wrecked off the coast of Italy on January 13, killing at least 21 people.

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