OSLO (Reuters) - Two people died after a cruise liner caught fire off Norway's coast on Thursday, police said, in a blaze that forced rescuers to evacuate more than 200 passengers.
Another four people from the Nordlys were also feared missing, said the police.
The ship, operating on a popular tourist route from Bergen to the northern regions above the Polar circle, was close to the port of Aalesund in Western Norway when a fire started in the engine room, state broadcaster NRK reported.
"We have confirmed two people have died," a police spokeswoman told Reuters.
The force said it was still trying to account for all the passengers.
"The police have had information four people were missing, but cannot confirm this number," it said in a statement.
Earlier media reports said all 207 passengers and most of the crew of 55 were taken off the ship, and that some crew remained on the vessel to fight the fire.
Eight people have been admitted to hospital and eight more have received treatment for injuries, a hospital spokesman said.
According to the website of operator Hurtigruten the Nordlys, built in 1994, can carry 691 passengers.
Television footage showed thick, black smoke rising from the ship after it was moved to Aalesund.
(Reporting By Joachim Dagenborg and Victoria Klesty; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
