At least two people are dead and another 235 evacuated from a cruise liner that caught fire on Thursday morning near Aalesund, a port city on Norway's western coast.

Another four people are reported missing, police said.

We have confirmed two people have died, a police spokeswoman told Reuters.

They are still trying to account for every passenger.

The police have had information four people were missing, but cannot confirm this number, according to statement.

The ship MS Nordlys or the Northern Lights, was operating along a popular tourist route from Bergen to the northern regions above the Polar circle, when a fire started in the engine room, Norwegian news agency NTB reported.

About 262 people, including 207 passengers and 55 crew members were on board, the ship that is operated by the Hurtigruten company, according to reports. The cruise liner was built in 1994 in Germany.