They evacuate 1,300 people from a cruise in Norway following an engine failure

The Norwegian authorities started the helicopter evacuation from about 1,300 pbadengers from a cruise ship that broke down before its coasts.

"The cruise ship & # 39; Viking Sky & # 39; launched an SOS because of engine problems, bad weather", announced on Twitter the rescue center in southern Norway.In another tweet, the local police announced that the 1,300 pbadengers would be evacuated to land.

"The boat has only one engine running and the winds are strong enough. We prefer people to be on the ground rather than on board the ship, "he said. AFP Chief of Police Operations, Tor Andre Franck.

Around 16:30 (14:30 GMT), a hundred people were evacuated and there is no trace of injuries.

Four helicopters participated in the operation, reported the rescue center.

The images broadcast by the Norwegian media showed the large white silhouette of the ship overflown by helicopters in rough seas.

"It will take time to evacuate everyone"said Franck.

The incident occurred around 14:00 (12:00 GMT) a few nautical miles from the coast of the region of Møre og Romsdal (in western Norway), a region that has experienced several shipwrecks.

"It is dangerous to suffer from motor problems in the waters that hide many reefs"said Franck, pointing out that the waves reached 8 meters.

Other boats came into the area and a ground reception center was opened for pbadengers.

"The ship threw the anchor and one of its engines is running. It is currently about two kilometers from the coast, "spokesman Einar Knutsen told reporters. NRK. "For the moment, everything is going well"he said.

(With information from AFP and EFE)