A cruise ship off of the coast of Norway began evacuating more than 1,300 passengers and crew members on Saturday after sending out a distress signal.
A spokeswoman for the Joint Rescue Centre for Southern Norwaytold CNNthat the Viking Sky cruise ship sent out the mayday signal due to “engine problems in bad weather.”
The spokesperson added that about 115 people had been airlifted off the ship on Saturday, eight with “minor injuries,” and that rescue operations would continue through the night and Sunday.
In a statement to PEOPLE, a Viking spokesman said the ship was carrying 915 guests and 458 crew when it experienced a “loss of engine power off the coast of Norway near Molde.”
Frank Einar Vatne/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
According to theAssociated Press, authorities told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK that the stormy weather was preventing rescue workers from using lifeboats as rescue vehicles.
“We are working closely with the relevant authorities and all operational procedures were followed in line with international regulations,” Viking said, adding that the company has dispatched an operational task force to Molde.
The cruise line said anyone with concerns about passengers aboard the ship can look forupdates on its website.
Odd Roar Lange/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
CNN reported that the ship was secured with one anchor and workers were attempting to get more than one engine running on Saturday. The outlet added that five helicopters and “a number of vessels” were helping with rescue efforts.
The ship was in the Hustadsvika waters off Norway’s west coast, an area “known for fierce weather and shallow waters dotted with reefs,”Reutersreported.
“It’s a demanding exercise, because [the passengers] have to hang in the air under a helicopter and there’s a very, very strong wind,” witness Odd Roar Lange told NRK at the site.
“Guests are being accommodated in local hotels when they arrive back on shore, and Viking will arrange for return flights for all guests,” Viking said in a statement.
Video of the storm could be seen insocial media postsfrom passengersaboard the ship.According tocruisemapper.com, the Viking Sky was in the middle of a 12-day trip. The ship departed from Bergen, Norway on March 14 and was expected to dock at a London port on March 26.
source: people.com
