BREAKING NEWS: Viking Sky Cruise Ship Stranded Off Norway’s Coast; Hundreds Evacuated Amid Storm(Fox News)
In a dramatic maritime emergency, the Viking Sky cruise ship, carrying 1,373 passengers and crew, experienced engine failure amid rough seas off Norway’s western coast on Saturday. The vessel sent out a mayday call as it drifted perilously close to the rocky shoreline in the Hustadvika region, an area notorious for shipwrecks.(AP News, CNN)
Rescue operations commenced immediately, with five helicopters airlifting 479 passengers to safety in challenging conditions, including wind gusts up to 43 mph and waves over 26 feet high. The remaining 436 passengers and 458 crew members stayed aboard as the ship managed to restart three of its four engines and navigated to the port of Molde under its own power, escorted by tugboats. (Global News)
Twenty individuals sustained injuries during the ordeal and received treatment at Norwegian medical facilities. The incident has prompted an investigation by Norwegian authorities into why the ship ventured into stormy waters despite weather warnings. (CNN, 9News)
Passengers described the experience as terrifying, with furniture and people being tossed about as the ship rolled in the heavy seas. The swift response by rescue teams and the crew’s efforts have been praised for preventing a potential disaster.
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