2 killed in Norway cruise ship fire

2011-09-15 15:36

Oslo - Two people were killed and at least nine injured on Thursday in a fire on a cruise liner operating on a popular route along Norway's craggy coast, officials said.

Police said they received information that an additional four people were missing, but could not immediately confirm it. Nine people were taken to the hospital, two with serious burns and smoke injuries.

The MS Nordlys, with 262 people on board, was evacuated after it caught fire before arriving in Alesund, 375km northwest of Oslo.

More than 100 passengers were evacuated into lifeboats before the ship reached port.

The remaining passengers and some crew left the vessel as smoke was still billowing from the burning ship.

Hurtigruten Asa, the Norwegian operator of the ship, said eight of its crew were among those sent to hospital.

Police said they sealed off parts of Alesund because of the heavy smoke.

The MS Nordlys, travelling north from Bergen, is one of several ships that ply the Norwegian coast on the popular 2 500km cruise between the south-western city and Kirkenes, high above the Arctic Circle near the Russian border.

The line carries both tourists eager to see the spectacular western coast and locals from coastal cities and hamlets.

- SAPA