Hvaler Open cancelled after boat capsizes

A boat capsized during the Hvaler Open event on Saturday, sending five people into the water and prompting organisers to cancel the event, Dagbladet reports.

Emergency services responded to reports of a boating accident in Hvaler, according to operations manager Fredrik Solbakken of the South-East police district. All five were rescued by other boats, though the extent of injuries was initially unclear.

By 12:10, Solbakken confirmed the casualties had been taken to Edholmen Marina for medical assessment. Two were injured, while three were unharmed. Later updates stated two were hospitalised—a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s—while the remaining three were uninjured.

Initial reports suggested the incident occurred during a race between two boats, but police later corrected this, stating it happened during an overtaking manoeuvre. The boat attempting the overtake capsized. Both vessels were participants in Hvaler Open, though the event was not a race and standard maritime rules applied.

Police are investigating the incident and have opened a case. The involved individuals, aged 20 to 40, are from Østfold and Oslo.