10 a.m., September 19, 2011

MS Nordlys’ guests are on their way home.

Hurtigruten’s ship MS Nordlys is now stabilized and being cleared of personal belongings and cargo. All guests will leave Ålesund today and embark on their homeward journeys.

Currently around 75 guests await flights home and they will all leave today. For those who have not yet had their personal belongings returned, Hurtigruten will arrange for these to be forwarded to their home addresses. Hurtigruten’s support team will continue to give support in Ålesund until all guests return home.

All departures of MS Nordlys have been cancelled until Mid-October. The winter schedule from 1st November to 31st December 2011 will not be affected by the accident since MS Nordlys was not put up for service during this period.

On Thursday September 15th at 9.17 a fire was detected on MS Nordlys on its arrival in Ålesund on the northbound sailing from Bergen. MS Nordlys had 207 guests from 16 nations on board. All guests were evacuated safely from the ship. Two crew members were tragically killed and two members of crew remain in hospital. There were 55 crew members in total on board.

Hurtigruten wishes to thank all those involved during the last few days for their impressive contribution. Guests, for their great patience and understanding and crew members along with rescue workers for their professionalism and courage during the rescue operation.