A FRENCHMAN led a mutiny after a cruise captain refused to stop off at plague-ridden Madagascar.

He was booted off the Costa Cruise ship after leading a passenger rebellion over missed stopovers in the Indian Ocean — despite a Black Death epidemic spreading from the African island.

6 A cruise passenger was kicked off a luxury ship for leading a rebellion over its route as the captain avoided plague-ridden areas Credit: Getty - Contributor

Two days later, the captain informed passengers that a planned stop on Madagascar had been cancelled due to the major health scare — which has so far claimed more than 100 lives.

But the 53-year-old insisted the ship had become a "floating prison" and he attempted to stage a coup with dozens of other passengers.

They took over a restaurant after a further two stops were cancelled — and they were only offered £130 in compensation.

6 Madagascar is dealing with a 'major' outbreak of the deadly plague, which has claimed more than 100 lives Credit: Afp or licensors

6 The cruise ship was diverted from Madagascar, despite a planned stop, leading to a mutiny among passengers Credit: Getty - Contributor

Jan told Le Parisien: "Things started heating up — 150 Euro when a major part of the trip is cancelled and a drink on board costs 5 Euro.

"That evening, we organised a protest in the restaurant.

"There were 60 of us banging our fists on the table to alert other cruise passengers to this con job".

More than 1,200 people on Madagascar are infected with the deadly plague, which the World Health Organisation has warned could spread easily across the region.

6 More than 100 people have died since the plague outbreak last month Credit: AFP or licensors

6 There are fears the plague could spread from Madagascar to other African and Indian Ocean countries Credit: AFP or licensors

Outbreak of Black Death plague kills 127 people in Madagascar with more than 1000 affected

Warnings have been issued for nine countries surrounding Madagascar — including cruise hotspots the Seychelles and Mauritius — amid fears the disease could spread via sea trade and flight routes.

While he accepted that the health risk was a factor in the captain's decision, Jan insisted his actions were justified as customers had been "treated like cattle".

He and his wife were taken off the ship by police at Seychelles after he was singled out by staff as the ringleader.

Jan said officers "listened to both our version of events and I asked to speak to the French ambassador.

6 The cruise was diverted from Madagascar and other at-risk islands, to the anger of some passengers Credit: AFP or licensors

Dr Ibrahima-Soce Fall says World Health Organisation are working to prevent the spread of plague on Madagascar

"Then the policeman asked the captain if he wanted to disembark anyone and he pointed to me.

"I spent two nights in a hotel in the Seychelles with my wife, then were flown home paid for by Costa.

"That's how I was freed from the floating prison".

He alleges that Costa Cruise knew about the plague risk but refused to come up with alternative destinations, claims the company denies.

A spokesperson said: "The company made every effort to maintain the stop-offs on Madagascar, looking into all the alternatives.

"Security, health and well-being of passengers and crew are an absolute priority."

It added that authorities had expressed "serious concern" about the plague threat and it may have had to quarantine the ship if it stopped at a risky destination.

What is the Black Death plague epidemic in Madagascar and what are bubonic plague symptoms?

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