Jump directly to the content

A HONEYMOONING couple quarantined on a “coronavirus cruise ship” have begged Donald Trump for help.

Milena Basso and her husband Gaetano Cerullo are trapped on the quarantined Diamond Princess off the coast of Japan, with at least 64 cases of the killer virus confirmed on board.

 Milena Basso and Gaetano Cerullo are trapped on board the ship
9
Milena Basso and Gaetano Cerullo are trapped on board the shipCredit: CNN
 The newlyweds have begged Donald Trump for help
9
The newlyweds have begged Donald Trump for helpCredit: Reuters

The couple said the situation on the ship is “desperate” with food and water running out and the disease spreading through the 2,000 trapped passengers.

New cases are being confirmed every day, and the American newlyweds say they still have two weeks to wait before they can leave.

Cerullo told Fox News: “We are kind of worried because we've still got two weeks on here assuming that works out in our favor and we still have to get onto American soil.

“And, if Donald Trump could help us in any way...”

Basso then pleaded: “We need help. We are in a desperate, desperate state.”

The couple said that while their physical health is "pretty good," mentally they are "not so great".

And they said they were disheartened to learn that updates were coming faster from their parents and news outlets than from those on the ship itself.

 The couple spoke to Fox News live form the ship
9
The couple spoke to Fox News live form the shipCredit: CNN

 

 The total number affected patients on board is now 64
9
The total number affected patients on board is now 64Credit: AP:Associated Press
 Eight Americans have been diagnosed with coronavirus as of Friday
9
Eight Americans have been diagnosed with coronavirus as of FridayCredit: Reuters
 The plague ship is now quarantined near Yokohama
9
The plague ship is now quarantined near YokohamaCredit: Reuters

The outbreak on the ship originated from one passenger who got on the ship in Yokohama on January 20 and disembarked in Hong Kong five days later, according to the cruise line statement.

Officials began screening guests on Monday with what the couple said was an ear thermometer without a disposable tip.

The virus has since the vessel.

Ashley Rhodes-Courter, an American whose parents are on the boat, said she hoped US officials would be able to help her parents leave.

She said: “They are all breathing circulated contaminated air so they could be getting everyone infected.”

And British passenger David Abel described the ship as a “floating prison”.

The cruise company Carnival Corporation said in a statement earlier this week: “Guests will continue to be provided complimentary internet and telephone to use in order to stay in contact with their family and loved ones, and the ship’s crew is working to keep all guests comfortable.”


Do you have a story for The US Sun team?

Email us at [email protected] or call 212 416 4552.


 Eight Americans were among 64 people aboard the Princess Diamond cruise ship to have coronavirus
9
Eight Americans were among 64 people aboard the Princess Diamond cruise ship to have coronavirusCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Some 2,000 passengers on board the cruise ship have been quarantined as cases of the virus emerged on the ship
9
Some 2,000 passengers on board the cruise ship have been quarantined as cases of the virus emerged on the shipCredit: Reuters
 Ambulances arrived to take passengers confirmed to have the virus off the ship
9
Ambulances arrived to take passengers confirmed to have the virus off the shipCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Topics