Stad, Norway

An American archaeologist, Karla Dana, tragically died after the boat she was on capsized and sank during an expedition off the west coast of Norway. The vessel was a replica of a Viking Ship

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The six people on board the Naddoddur encountered rough seas on the fourth day of their voyage from the Faroe Islands to Norway. A distress signal was sent from the boat on Tuesday evening (Aug 27).

Five of the people on board managed to escape on an inflatable life raft and were airlifted by a helicopter to safety. However, the woman lost her life and her body was later discovered on Wednesday morning near the spot where their boat sank.

The US State Department has confirmed the incident and told BBC, "We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased."

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The 29-year-old woman added several entries to the blog maintained by the group. In one post written by her before they embarked on the expedition, she expressed her worries after watching videos of the North Sea. 

"It’s hard to keep excitement from turning into fear when you see those waves casually tossing around huge modern boats like toys," she wrote in the post, published Wednesday.

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"But there’s a wild beauty in the North Sea, a reminder of nature’s raw power, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this adventure."

According to Norway's Sea Rescue Society (NSSR), their boat capsized during strong winds of about 40 knots and waves as high as five metres west of the town of Stad.

Also read | Indian Coast Guard rescues 11 crew of sunken cargo ship, search on for 3 more

A 'brave explorer' gone too soon

Dana was an archaeologist who specialised in the Viking era and had travelled to various locations including England, Germany, Spain, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Taiwan, Morocco, and China for work and studying. In 2023, she became a part of the Florida chapter of The Explorers Club, a prestigious international organisation established by Arctic explorers in 1904.

"This brave Explorer left this planet doing something she loved entirely too early," chairman of The Explorers Club's Florida chapter, Joseph Dituri told BBC News. "Her exploration spirit was evident in everything she did as well as her zest for life! It is a better world having had her in it."

He further added that her death serves as a reminder "that we make these dangerous Expeditions and Explorations look easy but they are not".

The expedition was previously delayed for several days due to bad weather conditions until Saturday. 

(With inputs from agencies)