Maritime security

Cruise ship in distress for over 15 hours off Norway’s coast, 900+ still waiting to be evacuated

More than 900 people and crew are still aboard the Viking Sky cruise ship over 15 hours since it sent out a mayday signal following engine failure off Norway’s rocky western coast. Passengers posted dramatic photos from inside.

Officials said on Sunday morning that 440 people have been evacuated from the cruise liner after its engines failed, local media report. Three helicopters are airlifting passengers from the vessel anchored in Hustadvika Bay, according to the authorities.The liner initially had 1,373 passengers and crew on board, 915 of which were passengers from the UK and US.

Some people sustained injuries, and three of them are serious. Sixteen people have been hospitalized, according to local authorities. They also say that the crew managed to restart three of the vessel’s four engines, adding that the ship is likely to be towed to the port city of Molde later on Sunday.

One passenger tweeted that people are still waiting to be evacuated.