Passengers are being evacuated from a cruise ship off the Norwegian coast which issued a mayday call in heavy winds.
Around 1,300 people travelling on board the Viking Sky are being taken to the shore by helicopter.
The ship reportedly ran into propulsion problems as strong winds and heavy seas hit Norway’s coastal regions today.
Are you or is someone you know on board? Get in touch on news@sundaypost.com or 01415672769
Police in the county of Moere og Romsdal said the ship has managed to moor in Hustadsvika Bay, between the western Norwegian cities of Alesund and Trondheim.
Rescue teams with helicopters and boats have been sent to help and evacuate the vessel, a process expected to take several hours.
Video from on board Viking Sky cruise ship shows furniture rolling across deck in stormy conditions – click here to read more
© Odd Roar Lange / NTB scanpix via APVideo footage taken on board showed water under passengers’ feet as they waited to be evacuated.
Damage also appeared to have been sustained to parts of the ship’s interior.
#vikingsky emergency pic.twitter.com/9bxdRpB2zV
— David Hernandez (@oxman78) March 23, 2019
Passenger on board #VikingSky Crew is doing a good job. Evacuation is slow. Seas rough. One muster station had a door blow in, injure pax and flood. Moved to midship pic.twitter.com/ndvEaJew8L
— David Hernandez (@oxman78) March 23, 2019
The Viking Sky was delivered in 2017 to operator Viking Ocean Cruises.
The 745ft ship usually carries 903 guests, with several hundred crew also on board.
Trips offered on board range across the world, from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean.
The current cruise began in Bergen on March 14, taking in several stops along the Norwegian coast.
The ship was due to dock at Stavanger tomorrow, before heading to London’s Tilbury port for its final call on March 26.
Viking have launched an information line for anyone concerned about friends / family on board.
If you have questions or concerns call 07585 779 853 or 0208 780 7900 for UK booked guests or 1-888-889-8837 for those from the US or Australia.
Breaking News:
A cruise ship has suffered engine failure in windy conditions off the west coast of Norway and will evacuate its 1,300 passengers.
The Viking Sky was drifting towards land and had sent out a mayday signal.
The ship belongs to Viking Ocean Cruises. pic.twitter.com/DtFbvGeV9X— Emil Nivantha Perera (@emilnivantha) March 23, 2019
Norveç’te Viking Sky isimli bin 300 yolcusu olan gemi, kötü hava koşulları sonrası Hustadvika Limanı açıklarında ‘acil durum’ sinyali vererek yardım talep etti. Bölgeye çok sayıda helikopter ve kurtarma botları gönderildi. pic.twitter.com/k4Q4eXQSjU
— Medyanın Elli Tonu (@Medyanin50Tonu) March 23, 2019
© Marine Traffic
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