Wreck of the Vikining Sky: the evacuation is stopped

The front of the Norwegian coast that sank off the cruise ship "Viking Sky" is towed towards the port. The evacuation was suspended. 460 people had been flown to the country.

Carsten Schmiester, ARD-Studio Stockholm

tables slide from port to starboard and back, glasses fall to the ground, portions of the top panel, then the Alarm goes off. A nightmare for around 1300 passengers and crew members of the two-year-old "Viking Sky". A machine was encountered damage, and in extremely heavy seas and in a notorious area. The captain had no choice. He had to spark a "Mayday", the international distress signal.

100 meters of treacherous rocks

was As it is now known, was under the Norwegian flag and driving away at the end of the ship in the most critical Moment, only 100 meters from the treacherous rocks just under the water surface. It is escaped, just a disaster. Until late morning the ship was evacuated. A dangerous and slow action with a few helicopters that could fly the pro Tour, only around 15 people to the mainland in an emergency camp. According to the police, so far, 17 of the mostly American and British passengers were injured, three of them seriously.

One of the most dangerous waters

Einar Knudsen, spokesman for the Norwegian sea Rescue, said the Norwegian broadcasting: "Clearly, this is a very serious Situation: was on A cruise ship with 1,300 people on Board in one of the most dangerous Maritime areas in the North of Europe with shoals and reefs." They had initially thrown an anchor, reported Knudsen, and one of the four machines are re-started, in order to stabilize the ship.

in the Meantime, the forces of three of the four drive machines work according to the information and the "Viking Sky" runs with seven knots slowly in the direction of Molde. This is the nearest port, 50 kilometers southwest of Kristiansund. The 900 passengers and crew members on Board, and there they will stay.

460 people were flown from the aircraft to Land. Meanwhile, the evacuation has been stopped.

situation under control

As the evacuation of the ship, the position control is stopped. Some of the Rescued have been published in the Internet pictures and small movies from on-Board to see where storm-related damage, such as overturned furniture, but also apparently a quiet people in life vests, awaiting removal by helicopter. According to their Reports, it ran quietly and orderly.

"kind of creepy"

the Rescued Dany and Judith Bates from the USA. For him, the last night was pretty bad: "That was scary," said Dany, "you have my wife and me with a rope to the helicopter. It was pretty scary." She has taken on the matter considerably more relaxed. Whether they were afraid of was Judith after landing, asked: "Not so much. A bit, as it went up. Until then, I had the feeling that you have everything under control and it will be fine. We capture this as an unexpected adventure."

Meanwhile, nine of the crew were members of a smaller cargo ship, brought ashore, and had damage in the evening in the vicinity of the "Viking Sky" is also a motor and now, the West Norwegian coast, with a heavy blow to the side of the still agitated waters.

"Viking Sky" takes its course to port
Carsten Schmiester, ARD, Stockholm
24.03.2019 13:29 PM

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"Viking Sky": the evacuation for the time being suspended, 24.03.2019 cruise ship with 1300 passengers in distress, 23.03.2019 Atlas |Norway |Oslo

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