MURMANSK (Sputnik) - A cargo ship suffered engine problems late on Saturday while sailing close to a cruise liner stranded under similar circumstances in the stormy weather off the Norwegian shore, local media said.
Police in the western More og Romsdal county were alerted to a distress signal in the same area where a large-scale operation was underway to airlift cruise passengers to safety, the TV2 news channel said. The crew of nine are waiting to be rescued.
Update: Cargo ship "Hagland Captain" had stayed around if more assistance needed for cruise ship, but then had a technical problem of her own. One helicopter dispatched to rescue the 9 crew. pic:NRK pic.twitter.com/TnBHejHl73
— Daniel Wilson ?? ?? (@danielw_rosala) March 23, 2019
"Hagland Captain" tilted. Police; we have to prioritize this now (but not at the expense of security, passengers and crew #Vikingsky).Two anchors out. Surrounded by tug boats atm 'just in case'Update, latest count — rescued: 120 (15 min's ago)Wind: 20m/sec pic.twitter.com/kaAewgMCof
— S.Hava (@Air_4U) March 23, 2019
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REUTERS/ Frank Einar Vatne/NTB Scanpix
Cruise Liner Stalls Near Norwegian Shore, 1,300 People Being Evacuated (PHOTOS)
The Viking Sky cruise liner came to an abrupt stop after its engines failed in a storm. There were around 1,300 people on board. The local television channel NRK said 115 have been rescued so far, including nine who were taken to the hospital.
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The rescue operation was expected to continue through the night. Choppy waters prevent ships from coming near the cruise liner, while helicopters can only carry up to 15 people. They were being hoisted from the deck and lifted to helicopters one by one.Source: sputniknews.com
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