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RUSSIA-BOAT-ACCIDENT
11 die in collision on Russia’s Volga river
MOSCOW, June 12, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Eleven people were killed in an accident
on Russia’s mighty Volga river when a catamaran collided with a barge,
emergency services said Tuesday.
Rescue efforts ran through the night after the accident late Monday near
Volgograd in southwest Russia — one of the cities hosting the World Cup
football tournament opening this week.
“The rescue operations have just finished. The last body has been recovered
and the number of dead is 11,” the local emergencies ministry said in a
statement quoted by the Ria Novosti news agency.
At least 16 people were on the catarmaran, according to a statement from
the Investigative Committee which has opened an investigation into possible
breaches of safety regulations.
According to an unnamed source quoted by the TASS news agency, the
catarmaran was built to take 12 people and was unlicensed.
Local media reported that the vessel was being driven by a former municipal
official in Volgograd, who has been convicted in the past for various
misdemeanours including hooliganism.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1444 hrs