Police say a strong wave likely capsized a replica Viking ship off the coast of Norway

This photo released by the Norwegian Armed Forces/Coast Guard shows the replica of the Viking ship named Naddodd where it was found on Wednesday morning, August 28, 2024, after it capsized off the Norwegian coast a day earlier. (The Norwegian Armed Forces/Coast Guard via AP)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A strong wave was likely responsible for the capsizing of a replica Viking ship off the coast of Norway earlier this week, killing a U.S. citizen, police said Thursday, calling the incident a “tragic accident” that did not constitute a criminal offense.

The wooden replica, named Naddodd, crossed the North Atlantic from the Faroe Islands to Norway with an international team of six people. The 10-meter-long double-masted vessel, built in the Faroe Islands, left the islands halfway between Scotland and Iceland on Saturday.

On Tuesday, the ship encountered strong winds and high waves and capsized late at night off the coastal town of Stad, about 346 kilometers from the capital Oslo.

Survivors told police that the weather “suddenly became much worse than predicted, with very high waves.” Rescue workers said some of the waves were up to five meters high at the time.

The five survivors managed to get into an inflatable life raft and were later flown to safety by helicopter. A sixth person who was trapped under the boat drowned, police said. The victim's body was found on Wednesday.

Police did not release the victim's name, but Norwegian and Faroese media identified her as 29-year-old archaeologist Karla Dana from Florida.

“I am so excited to be part of this crew that will fearlessly embark on this Nordic voyage on a replica Viking ship across the North Sea, pushing physical and mental boundaries to sail into history,” Dana posted on her LinkedIn profile before the trip.

This photo released by Norwegian police shows the replica of the Viking ship named Naddodd moored at the quay in Måløy, Norway, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, after it capsized off the Norwegian coast earlier this week. (Norwegian police via AP)