Two people died after a cruise liner caught fire off Norway's coast today, forcing rescuers to evacuate the ship carrying over 200 passengers.
Eight injured people were taken to hospital and four people are feared missing.
The Nordlys, operating on the popular tourist route from Bergen to the northern regions above the Polar circle, was close to the port of Aalesund in Western Norway when a fire started in the engine room, state broadcaster NRK said.
Television footage showed thick, black smoke rising from the ship, currently docked in Aalesund.
Norwegian police said they are still trying to account for all the passengers. "The police have had information four people were missing, but cannot confirm this number,"they said in a statement.
Earlier media reports said all 207 passengers and most of the crew of 55 were taken off the ship, and that some crew remained on the vessel to fight the fire.
Eight people have been admitted to hospital and eight more have received treatment for injuries, a hospital spokesman said.
According to the website of operator Hurtigruten, the 1994-built Nordlys can carry 691 passengers.
Reuters