Three tourists die in boating accident off Smøla coast

A major search operation was launched off the coast of Smøla in Møre og Romsdal county early Monday after three tourists failed to return from a fishing trip, Norwegian media report. All three were later found dead in the water.

The rescue effort began just before 1:30 AM, according to Norway’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre for Southern Norway, as reported by Dagbladet. A capsized fishing boat was located by a rescue helicopter, with the three individuals found lifeless nearby.

“The helicopter crew retrieved the bodies, but it remains unclear what caused the accident,” rescue leader Andreas Bull told local newspaper Tidens Krav. “It is too early to speculate—police will handle the investigation.”

The victims were part of a group of fishing tourists. Their boat rental company alerted authorities at 11:27 PM Sunday when the trio did not return as scheduled. The search involved a rescue helicopter, lifeboat, coast guard, and volunteers.

Police are now working with Norway’s National Criminal Investigation Service (Kripos) to notify the victims’ next of kin.