Oslo- Over 150 passengers and crew were safely evacuated Tuesday from a ferry that ran aground in Norway's Trondheim harbour, police and officials said. The decision to evacuate came after the Norwegian vessel, MS Richard With began taking in water amid strong winds.
The coast guard, emergency services, police and local volunteers helped with the rescue operation. All 153 passengers and four crew had by noon, local time, left the ship. Most had to climb down a long ladder to the quay. There were no reports of injuries.
Divers were later sent to inspect the 121-metre long vessel that was en route to Bergen, and pumps were used to pump out water.
The MS Richard With, built in 1991, is owned by the Hurtigruten shipping company that operates the Norwegian coastal express.
In addition to serving coastal communities and stopping at 34 ports, the company also offers cruises along the Norwegian coast as well as to Spitsbergen, Greenland and Antarctica.
