Rhine Collision at Cologne
The 40 meter long passenger vessel Willi Ostermann collided with the 95 meter long self-propelled barge Brizo on the Rhine near Cologne, Germany. The Willi Ostermann was on a wedding party excursion with 150 passengers when it struck the stern of the Brizo. The bow on the Willi Ostermann was damaged and eight passengers suffered minor injuries. No reports of pollution released. The Willi Ostermann proceeded to a shipyard for repairs while the Brizo, undamaged, was allowed to continue to Antwerp with its cargo of salt. The water police has launched an investigation into the incident.