:: An elderly German man has been airlifted to hospital in Saudi Arabia after suffering a health problem while onboard a cruise ship off the coast of the Red Sea, according to reports.

The man, who has not been named, was onboard the Seven Seas Voyager, which was on its way to Egypt’s Port Safaga.

The ship’s crew contacted Saudi authorities when it emerged that the man’s condition required specialist hospital treatment.

He was evacuated by air by the Ministry of Interior’s General Security Aviation Command.

The man was picked up from the ship when it was 35 nautical miles off Al-Shoaiba beach. Accompanied by his wife, he was transferred to an air base in Jeddah, from where he was taken to hospital.