Ship fire kills two as 207 passengers forced to evacuate

PASSENGERS were forced to evacuate a popular cruise off Norway’s craggy western coast yesterday when a fire in the engine room killed two crew members and sent heavy smoke billowing through the ship.

Operator Hurtigruten ASA said nine other crew were taken to hospital, two with serious burns and smoke injuries. All 207 passengers — and most of the crew of 55 — onboard the MS Nordlys were taken to safety.

Danielle Passebois-Paya, a French tourist, told Norwegian daily Aftenposten the evacuation went smoothly.