A Ukrainian cruise ship is on its way back to its home port of Odessa after a row involving diplomats from three countries.

The problem emerged while the ship was anchored near Istanbul People on board waved banners pleading for help.

They said the captain had cancelled the cruise because of a financial dispute between the ship's owners and the tour company and was taking them back to Ukraine against their will.

At one point the Ukrainian, Russian and Azerbaijani consuls in Istanbul went on board to try to placate the tourists, who were reported to be close to rioting.