Norwegian cruise engine failure off Norway coast prompts rescue operation for 1,300 people on board

Posted By: Staff
March 23, 2019 @ 5:42 pm
ABC World

Eva Frisnes

Eva Frisnes(MOLDE, Norway) — Rescue helicopters were battling severe winds on Saturday to airlift more than 1,300 people off a Norwegian cruise ship that issued a distressed call after an engine failure.

Of the 1,300 stranded, 900 were passengers on the Viking Cruises’ ship called The Viking Sky, Norway’s Rescue Coordination Centre told ABC News. The ship can house 930 guests and was built in 2017, according to the company’s website.

The initial mayday was received by the agency at 2 p.m. local time, the agency spokesperson said. Currently, the cruise ship is close to shore and has one engine working and one anchor holding. Rescuers hope to get two other engines working.

Four helicopters were involved in the operations, and at least 87 people have been hoisted off, including eight with injuries, the agency said.

Danny and Judith Bates were among the rescued.