A cruise ship ran aground off the Alaska coast early yesterday and began taking on water, forcing more than 250 passengers and crew to evacuate, officials said.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The 110m Empress of the North, carrying 281 people, was listing by about 8 degrees after hitting Hanus Rock at the southern end of the Icy Strait, about 24km southwest of Juneau, said Petty Officer Christopher McLaughlin at the Coast Guard base in Kodiak.
A Coast Guard helicopter and plane were dispatched after an emergency radio message was received at 12:35am from the ship, operated by Majestic America Line of Seattle, McLaughlin said.
He said the reason for the grounding was unclear.
Passengers and crew were being transferred to life boats and then to a tug boat and barge, Coast Guard Commander Jeff Carter told CNN.
The ship has 112 staterooms and an old-fashioned rear paddle wheel, according to its Web site.
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