The cruise ship „Viking Sky“, which crashed in a stormy sea off the Norwegian coast, has today been towed towards the harbor. The evacuation of the ship with helicopters was suspended for the time being, said the southern Norwegian rescue service. Tugs should bring the „Viking Sky“ into the harbor of the city of Molde.
The news agency NTB reported that the captain will decide during the trip whether rescue by helicopter should be continued. In the preceding hours around 460 of the 1,373 people on board had been flown ashore.
Dramatsiche pictures
The „Viking Sky“ was in distress because of problems with the drive in a dangerous section of the central west coast of Norway. According to shipping information 915 passengers and 458 crew members were on board the 227 meter long ship. Most passengers are according to authorities British and Americans.
Shooting from the ship showed dramatic scenes: The „Viking Sky“ swayed violently, through the windows, the passengers saw huge waves. Armchairs, tables and plants slipped back and forth in the ship. Many people on board wore lifejackets. The ship was in the coastal section Hustadvika underway, a sea area, which is considered to be dangerous, among other things because of numerous small islands and reefs. There have been ship accidents more often in the past. According to the Norwegian radio station NRK, the „Viking Sky“ was at times only 100 meters away from running aground. The waves were up to eight meters high.
The forces in the area also need to rescue the nine-man crew of a freighter, also in distress. The „Hagland Captain“ also had a machine damage and was then listed, as the Southern Norwegian emergency medical service reported. The freighter was on its way to the „Viking Sky“ to help.
