Mon May 22, 4:34 PM ET

BREST, France (AFP) - A freak wave reportedly measuring 12 metres (40 feet) hit a British ferry on its way to Spain, injuring five passengers and forcing the ship to shelter in France, officials said.

Brittany Ferries flagship the Pont-Aven was carrying 1,149 people from Plymouth to Santander in Spain when the wave struck late Sunday in the English Channel, French emergency workers said.

It arrived in the French port of Roscoff before dawn.

"While passing Ouessant on the northwestern coast of France... Pont-Aven encountered what appears to have been a freak wave," a spokesman for Brittany Ferries was quoted as saying by the British Press Association.

"The wave broke a cabin window on deck six, there are 11 decks. The cabin was unoccupied.

"Five passengers and one crew member are reported to have sustained minor injuries and have been attended to by the ship's doctor.

"All passengers were disembarked and alternative travel arrangements have been made by staff in both the UK and France."

[link to news.yahoo.com]