Viking Sky: passengers rescued after being stranded at sea

Rescue helicopters swooped in to rescue passengers aboard the Viking Sky in Norway over the weekend, after stormy conditions proved too dangerous to continue, and the cruise ship was left stranded at sea.

Now docked at Molde Harbour in western Norway, all passengers escaped the cruise ship safely, but for some, not without injury.

According to CNN, rescue teams had to airlift 479 passengers of the 1,300 crew and guests on board, after violent wind and waves caused the ship to lurch about, sending people and objects flying in all directions. According to CBC News, Global Affairs said that 15 Canadians were on board during the incident.

During the rescue operations, waves reached up to eight feet high.

In a video posted to Twitter shared by CBC News, a potted plant can be seen rolling around, and as the ship rocks, heavy furniture comes flying in all directions.

Further into the clip, a piece of the ship's ceiling falls and appears to strike a woman over the head.

Here's what it was like on board the Viking Sky cruise ship after it became disabled in rough waters off the western coast of Norway.

The vessel has reached port but more than a dozen were sent to hospital with injuries according to a rescue official: https://t.co/supbkRQWpf pic.twitter.com/N0GkHZ61Yq

— CBC News (@CBCNews) March 24, 2019

Viking responds

In a statement via its website, Viking Cruises stated that the Viking Sky regained power on Sunday morning (Mar. 24) and made its way into Molde Harbour, with 436 guests and 458 crew still remaining on board. The cruise line said that passengers would begin flying home that evening.

"Throughout all of this, our first priority was for the safety and well-being of our passengers and our crew. We would like to thank the Norwegian Redningssentral and the Norwegian emergency services for their support and skill displayed in managing the situation in very challenging weather conditions. 

We would also like to thank the local residents who throughout the whole process have been extremely supportive and hospitable."

Viking has asked anybody with questions or concerns to call this number for U.S. and Australia booked guests 1-888-889-8837, and for UK booked guests 07585 779 853 or 0208 780 7900.

The next sailing, Scandinavia & the Kiel Canal, which was scheduled to embark on Mar. 27 has been cancelled, and guests and their travel agents have been contacted directly.

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