Two passengers have been killed following a blaze on board MS Nordlys in Norway.

Some 262 people are believed to have been on board the Hurtigruten ASA operated vessel when it caught fire off the coast of the country earlier, with at least nine further people injured.

The injured have been taken to the hospital, two with serious burns and smoke injuries.

A further four people are missing.

More than 100 passengers were evacuated into lifeboats before the ship reached port in Alesund, 230 miles northwest of Oslo.

Eight of the crew are believed to be among those sent to hospital.

The line carries both tourists eager to see the spectacular western coast and locals from coastal cities and hamlets.