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Two people have been killed and six injured as giant waves slammed into a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, the ship's owners have said.

The 26ft (8m) high rogue waves hit the Cypriot-owned Louis Majesty off the coast of north-east Spain.

A spokesman for owner Louis Cruises said three "abnormally high" waves broke windows in the front of the ship.

The Louis Majesty was heading to Genoa on a 12-day Mediterranean cruise but has now returned to Barcelona.

"A wave broke the glass in the area of the saloon and water was taken on board," said a spokesman for Spain's coast guard.

Cruise continues

The victims have been identified as a German and an Italian man.

"Louis Cruises extends its sincere condolences to the families of the two victims and its full support to the injured passengers while expressing its deep sorrow for the incident," a statement from the company said.

The ship was carrying 1,350 passengers and 580 crew.

A French naval official said there had been "no signs of the least problem with the Louis Majesty".

But Cmdr Bernard Celier said there had been winds of more than 100km/h (60mph) in the area.

The ship is expected to resume its voyage to its final destination, Genoa, once the victims have been taken off the ship and the injured have received treatment.