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.
Rescue team tweeted on Sunday morning that 397 people have been evacuated from the cruise liner after its engines failed. Three helicopters are airlifting passengers from the vessel anchored in Hustadvika Bay, authorities told local media. 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.
Waves are continuing to batter the ship. Videos from passengers posted on social media show chairs and other furniture, as well as a piano, sliding back and forth across the floor as the ship is rocked from side to side.
The ship was traveling from Bergen, Norway to London. It requested emergency help on Sunday as it started to drift towards the rocky western coast of Norway following the engine failure.
Helicopters and rescue boats rushed to the scene but faced difficulties due to severe weather conditions. Officials say it’s too early to speculate on whether the weather was a cause of the incident. The Viking Sky, a vessel with gross tonnage of 47,800, was commissioned to the operator in 2017.
Also on rt.com 1,300+ people in distress as crippled cruise liner is battered by huge waves off Norway (VIDEOS)Like this story? Share it with a friend!
Source : RT - Daily news
Cruise ship in distress for over 15 hours off Norway’s coast, 900+ still waiting to be evacuated
Cruise ship in distress for over 15 hours off Norway’s coast, 900+ still waiting to be evacuated
