Tragedy unfolds in Lofoten as a boat capsizes
A serious maritime accident occurred Friday afternoon in the Nappstraumen strait near Lofoten when a boat carrying Swedish tourists capsized. On board were six Swedish tourists, two children, and a Swedish fishing guide. Six people managed to cling to the keel and survive, but one girl remained missing in the water after the incident.
The search-and-rescue operation intensified over the weekend as authorities worked to locate the missing 11-year-old girl. On Sunday afternoon, police confirmed that she had been found deceased, located near the wheelhouse at a depth of roughly 25 meters. The discovery, made with the assistance of the coast guard ship KV Jarl, brought a tragic end to the long hours of search and recovery in challenging conditions.
KV Jarl not only helped in the search but also assisted in raising the wheelhouse and securing the deceased for transport. Relatives were notified, and the authorities expressed condolences to those affected. Police stressed that the investigation would continue to determine the cause of the capsizing, with updates expected over the weekend as more information becomes available.
Search efforts and the investigation
The incident prompted a coordinated response from Hovedredningssentralen Nord, coast guard units, and local rescue services. The timeline of actions shows quick mobilization: a rescue helicopter arrived within minutes, a rescue boat joined the operation, and divers went into the water to inspect the vessel. Despite the rapid response, the search for the missing girl extended into Sunday afternoon.
According to the vessel’s owner, Jimmy Andersson of Nordic Sea Angling, the guide aboard the boat described a sudden sequence: a wave from behind pushed the boat toward the starboard side, causing it to collide with another wave and capsize. The explanation underscores how swiftly conditions can change at sea and the importance of ongoing safety reviews following such tragedies.
Rescuer loses life in the line of duty
During the rescue operation on Friday, a diver, Adrian Willyson Brask, was fatally injured. He was badly hurt while conducting underwater searches and was evacuated by helicopter. Sadly, he did not survive the injuries sustained while trying to save others. A fundraising page (Spleis) has been established in his memory to support his family during this unimaginably difficult time. The page notes that collected funds will assist his wife, young daughter, and the broader family—people who relied on his compassion and dedication to helping others.
Brask was known for his decades of service as a volunteer with the Red Cross, his work with Redningsselskapet (the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue), and his role in community outreach. His colleagues describe him as someone who made others feel seen and safe, a man who built connections and fostered a sense of community wherever he went.
What comes next
Investigators will continue to examine every facet of the incident to determine what caused the boat to capsize in Nappstraumen. The police have indicated that updates will be provided over the coming weekend as more details emerge. In the meantime, families are grappling with the sudden loss, and rescue crews are reflecting on the day’s events and the extreme risks involved in maritime search operations.
