King Haakon visits Narvik, ferry stuck, Andøya launch window

The Nordland / Lofoten news from the last 48 hours: King Haakon made his first official visit as monarch in Narvik on Tuesday, before about 2000 pupils. A county ferry remained stranded with 18 passengers north of Hulløy, and Andøya Space is preparing a new launch window (NRK Nordland / Lofoten).

In Narvik, Nordland / Lofoten news marked by a royal first

On Tuesday 13 October, King Haakon made his first official visit to a municipality since his accession to the throne. The stop was Narvik, in Nordland (NRK Nordland / Lofoten). Around 2000 pupils gathered in the town square to welcome him, waving flags.

Pupils from Beisfjord school took the bus to Bjerkvik to meet the new king. "The king doesn't come here often, that's why we are coming. I'm planning to wave my flag a lot," said Emilie, a third-year pupil, to NRK. On stage, the programme was presented by Mathilde Antonsen Myrvang, 10 years old: "It was really nice, but I was very nervous."

For Alfred, the day had a special flavour: his father is a police officer and was due to escort the king to Narvik square. "It's a special day both for me and for dad today, but maybe especially for dad," he told NRK Nordland / Lofoten.

Ferry with 18 passengers stranded north of Hulløy

The ferry "Fannefjord" suffered a technical fault that reduced its manoeuvring ability while it was north of Hulløy (NRK Nordland / Lofoten). "We have the situation under control," says Jan Petter Jagedal Thomsen, regional manager at Fjord1, to NRK.

The vessel is carrying 18 passengers in addition to the crew. A rescue vessel from HRS has been sent to the scene. The shipping company does not wish to dock at Kjøpsvik before the arrival of a tug coming from Harstad, which will take four hours. Passengers are staying on board and are being offered food and drinks.

The Drag–Kjøpsvik crossing, 14.8 kilometres long, is one of Norway's longest electric ferry routes (NRK Nordland / Lofoten).

Andøya Space prepares a new launch window

In Nordland county, Andøya Space is planning a new launch window. This announcement is among the Nordland / Lofoten news items reported by the public broadcaster (NRK Nordland / Lofoten). The company, based in Vesterålen, in Nordland, says it is preparing this new launch sequence from its county site.

Dortmund train on the Aspmyra pitch

Borussia Dortmund players trained on Tuesday 13 October evening on the Aspmyra pitch in Bodø; Avisa Nordland published photos of the session (Avisa Nordland). Bodø/Glimt also held a press conference, followed by NRK Nordland / Lofoten.

Lofotposten: millions for the islands, concern over ambulances

On the morning of Wednesday 14 October, Lofotposten reports that several million kroner are being allocated to the islands (Lofotposten). The newspaper also publishes a warning against cuts that are too fast in ambulance services: "We know what employees are going through right now" (Lofotposten).

Avisa Nordland reports, on Tuesday evening, that 200 "important" metres are being dug in Bodø, and devotes an article to the daily life of Morten's parent, described as more difficult than expected (Avisa Nordland).

📌 Local briefs

A fire broke out in a four-unit apartment building in Brønnøysund around three o'clock in the night from Monday to Tuesday; neighbour Leif Atle Opsjøn raised the alarm, and 16-year-old Nathaniel Drevland jumped from the second floor after being woken by knocks on the door (NRK Nordland / Lofoten).

In Svolvær, police stopped a car on Tuesday evening that was under a usage ban due to lack of insurance; the driver did not hold a valid licence and is suspected of driving under the influence of substances, according to Ina Kristin Selfors of Nordland police district (NRK Nordland / Lofoten).

A trailer overturned on the Helgeland Bridge (NRK Nordland / Lofoten). An individual is also being prosecuted in a case involving more than 1600 hours of abuse videos (NRK Nordland / Lofoten).

Sources: NRK Nordland / Lofoten, Avisa Nordland, Lofotposten, The Local Norway — Period: 13 October 2026 and 14 October 2026