American Tourist Dead After Viking Ship Replica Sinks Off Coast of Norway: Reports
There were six people on the vessel when it capsized about 60 miles off the country’s west coast
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A viking ship (Drakkar) in Norway.A U.S. tourist has died after a Viking replica boat sank off the coast of Norway, according to multiple reports.
Six people were on board the 30-foot open wooden vessel when it encountered rough seas — with waves that were between 13-16 feet high — during an expedition from the Faroe Islands to Norway, on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 27, according to Agence France Presse and the BBC.
The ship sent a distress signal, and five people, including its skipper, were able to get into an inflatable life raft, and were airlifted by a helicopter with help from the Norwegian coast guard ship KV Bergen, which arrived on the scene, per Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang (VG).
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The body of the woman, who was reported to be an American citizen in her 20s by Norwegian media, was found Wednesday, Aug. 28, near where the Naddoddur capsized about 60 miles off the country’s west coast, according to the outlets.
Per the BBC, the expedition had already been postponed for several days due to the weather, and Norway’s Sea Rescue Society posted a video that showed strong winds and high waves in the area at the time the vessel went down.
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The passengers on board were attempting a voyage, from the Faroe Islands to Alesund in Norway — similar to one that Vikings conducted more than 1,000 years ago, per the AFP.
The survivors were from Switzerland and the Faroe Islands, according to VG.
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The local newspaper also reported that the boat's skipper has yet to be questioned, but authorities have opened an investigation.
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