Update: Heavy Seas Off New Zealand Swamp Cruise Ship, 40 Injured

August 1, 2008 10:18 p.m. EST

Wellington, New Zealand (AHN) - More than 40 passengers were injured Wednesday when a luxury cruise ship was swamped by mountainous seas as a sub-tropical storm hit New Zealand.

One person died in a flooded stream as the storm hit the North Island's western and northern regions. Residents were asked to evacuate their homes.

The Pacific Sun was on an eight-day cruise with more than 2,000 passengers and crew when it encountered the storm.