Viking Sky Cruise Liner Stranded Off Norway's Western Coast Tugged Toward Shore - Reports

MURMANSK (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 24th March, 2019) The Viking Sky cruise liner, which started drifting off Norway's western coast on Saturday after suffering engine failure during a heavy storm, is being tugged to the shore, while rescuers managed to evacuate 463 people out of over 1,300 passengers on board, local media reported on Sunday.

Due to the stormy weather, people could not get evacuated to other vessels and had to be airlifted one-by-one by helicopters.

The cruise ship, which was reported to have restarted three out or four engines, is moving toward the western city of Molde, the NRK broadcaster said. The process may take around four hours, with the vessel expected to reach the shore by 2:00 p.m. local time (13:00 GMT).

Although the weather conditions in the area have improved, the evacuation has been suspended while the ship is being tugged to the shore by two boats, the broadcaster added.

A total of 17 people were reportedly injured during the incident, with three people having serious injuries.