Luxury Cruise Ship Carrying 206 Passengers Runs Aground in Arctic Circle with 2 COVID-19 Cases

The Ocean Explorer cruise ship is stranded near Alpefjord in Northeast Greenland

A luxury cruise ship carrying 206 passengers and crew has run aground in Northwestern Greenland.

The Ocean Explorer became stranded near Alpefjord in the Northeast Greenland National Park on Monday, reported NBC News.

The 375,000 square mile area, which is known for icebergs, is the most northerly national park in the world. No injuries or damage were reported in the incident, according to a statement from the Joint Arctic Command's Facebook page.

In the post on Tuesday, Cmdr. Brian Jensen of the Joint Arctic Command stated: “Our units are far away, and the weather can be very unfavorable.”

He added that a Danish navy ship — which is closest to the stranded vessel — is expected to arrive on Friday. Another nearby cruise ship has also been contacted should its assistance be needed.

Despite there being no risk to human life or the environment, the incident is being taken “very seriously," Jenson made clear in the Facebook statement.

The Joint Arctic Command also revealed that the ship had so far been unable to free itself despite Tuesday's tides. Meanwhile, Associated Press stated Wednesday that a Greenland government-owned fishing vessel will attempt to use a high tide to free the cruise ship. The fishing vessel is expected to arrive later Wednesday.

Jensen added of the rescue attempts: "Regardless, the most important thing for us is that everyone gets to safety."

Related: WATCH: Cruise Passengers Share Terrifying Videos from 'Nightmare' Storm at Sea

Related: Mom Who Apparently Jumped Off Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Near Singapore Has Died, Family Says

Two of the stranded passengers have COVID-19, according to an Australian passenger on board, as reported by The Guardian. Gina Hill, who is traveling with her husband, said they felt a shudder and then what sounded like a scrape as the ship ran aground. However, she added that the passengers were in "good spirits."

Hill said that passengers had been told by the crew that two other passengers had COVID-19 and that they had been isolated.

Per ABC News, the ship is 343 feet long and 60 feet wide. The cruise ship is said to belong to Ulstein Group in Ulsteinvik, southern Norway, according to NBC News.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“We are actively engaged in efforts to free the MV Ocean Explorer from its grounding. Our foremost commitment is to ensure the vessel’s recovery without compromising safety,” Aurora Expeditions, who operate the ship, told AP News.

Capt. Flemming Madsen of the Danish Joint Arctic Command also revealed that passengers on the ship are tourists from the United States, New Zealand, Britain, Australia, and South Korea, the outlet reported.

The Danish Defence and Aurora Expeditions did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.