A tanker carrying 1,300 metric tons of raw gasoline, drifted off course due to steering gear failure and collided with a cargo ship, reports DW.com.
What happened?
Two ships collided on the Rhine river in Germany. Authorities say a technical defect led to the crash.
A tanker was allowed to continue its course by German authorities after it collided with a cargo ship on the Rhine river, police said on Tuesday.
What is the reason?
A tanker carrying 1,300 metric tons (1,433 tons) of Naphtha, or raw gasoline, drifted off course due to steering gear failure.
It collided with a cargo ship, which was carrying 1,200 metric tons of seed, near the western German city of Mainz, at around 3 p.m. local time (13:00 UTC).
Damages reported
According to the police, both ships were damaged but none of the cargo entered the water. Police said a technical defect caused the ship to divert.
Allowed to continue her journey
The ship was initially prohibited from continuing its journey until the cause was clarified. Later an expert confirmed that the ship was once again functioning properly.
Other similar incidents
As hundreds of tankers, cargo ships, passenger vessels and ferries use the Rhine river daily, collisions and crashes have occurred in the past too.
In 2012, a tanker carrying nearly 2,400 metric tons of sulfuric acid had an accident near the Lorelei cliff in St. Goarshausen. The incident killed two of the four crew members onboard, and traffic on the river had to be temporarily halted.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: DW.com
