At Least 4 Dead in Passenger Ship, Barge Collision Off Russia

At Least 4 Dead in Passenger Ship, Barge Collision Off Russia

Passenger vessel Polesie-8 and a barge collided in the Irtysh River, 10 kilometers off the Russian city of Omsk, on Saturday at about 1:20 p.m. local time. Initial reports stated that 4 people were killed and more than 30 injured in the accident.

The Polesie was traveling from Omsk to Achir. Near the village of Novaya Stanitsa, it collided with the barge and sank. There were 53 people aboard the passenger ship. 4 people were killed, 49 were injured, including 6 minors. Among the injured, 15 people – including 1 child – are in grave condition.

West Siberian Transport Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee is handling the criminal investigation into the collision.

Chemical tests of 4 Polesie-8 crewmembers and 2 crewmembers of the barge were conducted to verify if there was any alcohol or drug intoxication. According to the result of medical examination, alcohol was found in blood of the passenger ship’s captain. No signs of alcohol intoxication were found in the remaining 5 crewmembers of the two vessels.

The captain has been detained.

Crewmembers of each vessel, 24 passengers from the Polesie-8 and 4 witnesses from crews of other vessels have already been questioned.

“Documents of Polesie-8, journal of review of navigators of OAO Omsk River Port (OJSC), dispatcher and cashbook documents have been seized from Russian River Register”, says the Russian Investigative Committee.

The deceased have been sent for medical forensic examination and identification procedure.

Investigators have begun a detailed inspection of the ship, after it was lifted from the water. They are also questioning other passengers and are retrieving Omsk River Port ship’s documents and documents permitting the crews of both vessels to navigate. In addition, investigators have organized a check into the negligence of the officials of the Omsk River Port, who let the vessel sail. A procedural decision will be made following the check.

Source: http://www.maritime-executive.com/