Elbe Canal Collision
The 80 meter long self-propelled tanker barge Bernhard Burmester collided with the 95 meter long self-propelled tanker barge Dettmer Tank 81 on the Elbe Side Canal near Bad Bodenteich, Germany. The two barges collided head-on with enough force that they became entangled. It required a few hours for authorities to separate the two barges The Bernhard Burmester had sustained severe hull damage to the bow resulting in water ingress. The Dettmer Tank 81 sustained only minor damage. No reports of injuries and no pollution was released.
Both vessels were later secured along the canal bank. The Bernhard Burmester partially sank at the bow, but there was no worry of pollution released as the tank hold remains intact. The water police has launched an investigation into the incident. Damage to the Bernhard Burmester is reported to be over 100.000 €.