Cruise liner with 262 aboard evacuated off Norway

[September 15, 2011]  OSLO, Norway (AP) -- Officials say a cruise liner is being evacuated after it caught fire with 262 people on board off Norway's western coast.

Sunnmore police district says 106 passengers had already been evacuated in lifeboats before the vessel docked at Alesund. The remainder of the passengers and crew are being evacuated at the port.

Alesund hospital spokeswoman Elisabeth Kleive said four people were taken into hospital, two with serious burns and smoke injuries, while two others have lighter injuries.

The fire broke out in the engine room of the MS Nordlys at 9:20 a.m. (0720 GMT) on Thursday.

No other details were immediately available.

[Associated Press]

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