Engine Fire on Hurtigruten MS Nordlys

MS Nordlys is now at the pier in Ålesund. 

 Engine Room Fire

Kills 2 Crew Members

UPDATE: September 19, 2011

Sailings through Mid-October Cancelled

Passengers from MS Nordlys are awaiting flights home in  Ålesund on Monday, September 19th, following an engine fire onboard the vessel last Thursday.  Approximately 75 guests will be departing during the day.   Hurtigruten will forward belongings back to their homes if they haven't received them by the time they leave.  They have a support staff onsite providing assistance to the passengers.

Tragically, two crew members died in the incident and two remain hospitalized.  All passengers were safely evacuated.  

Hurtigruten officials published the following statement on their website: "Hurtigruten wish to thank deeply all involved for their impressive contribution during the last days. Guests for their great patience and understanding, crew members and rescue workers for their professionalism and courage during the rescue operation."

More information: MS Nordlys update

An engine room fire aboard Hurtigruten MS Nordlys, around 9 AM Thursday, caused the death of two crew members and at least 9 others were injured.  According to Norwegian news Web site NRK, the 11,204-ton ship was just outside Ålesund in Norway's northwest when fire broke out in the engine room. The cause of the fire is under investigation.  There were 207 passengers and 55 crew onboard at the time.

In this dramatic video  below we see black smoke billowing from the smokestack while the emergency alarm sounds and passengers and crew gather on deck, prepared to evacuate.

Passengers were accommodated at the Rica Park Hotel before continuing on alternate cruises or returning home.  A hotline for passenger information is posted on Hurtigruten's website.  News reports indicated that the ship had been listing as much as 21.7 degrees at one point until pumps could be used to right the vessel.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the crew members that were injured or killed in this fire.

MS Nordlys sails the 12-DAY NORWEGIAN COASTAL VOYAGE from Bergen year round.