Americans aboard quarantined cruise ship expected to leave

Preparations in Japan began on Sunday to evacuate Americans aboard a quarantined cruise ship docked at Yokohama, near Tokyo.

About 400 Americans aboard the Diamond Princess were later expected to take a charter flight to the US.

Buses were seen arriving late on Sunday at the port, as Japan announced another 70 infections of the new virus on the ship.

Canada, Hong Kong and Italy said they were planning similar flights.

Japan now has 412 confirmed cases, including 355 from the cruise ship, and one death from the virus.

The passengers have been quarantined on the ship since 5 February.

That 14-day quarantine is due to end Wednesday.

A chartered aircraft will arrive in Japan late on Sunday and American passengers will be flown to Travis Air Force Base in California, with some continuing to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, the US Embassy in Tokyo said in a letter to passengers and crew that was posted online on Saturday.

The viral outbreak that began in China has infected more than 69,000 people globally and killed over 1,500.