AVALON ILLUMINATION

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Collision on the Rhine

On Oct 1, 2019, at 8.20 p.m. the tank barge ‘Eiltank 65‘, 2482 ts (EU-No.: 02333925), which was sailing river upstream on the Rhine from Rotterdam, was in collision with the ‘Avalon Illumination‘ which was coming from Colonia and heading to Amsterdam with 160 passengers on board. The ships hit at river km 814 at the Rhine Bridge in Wesel. The fire brigade of the town was alerted at 8.22 p.m. While the 'Eiltank 65' berthed at the Garaqnt company in Wesel, the passenger ship proceeded to a pier in Wesel town where the fire brigade and rescue services were ready to intervene. Seven passengers who had been in a restaurant on the lower deck had been injured when they fell onto the deck due to the impact. They had suffered mainly cuts and bruises. After an initial treatment they were taken to hospitals in Wesel, Xanten and Emmerich. The fire boat ‘Wesel‘ secured the passing Rhine traffic during the rescue operation. The Rhine promenade in Wesel was barred for the rescue forces which left the scene short past midnight. Both ships had suffered only slight damages. The 'Avalon Illumination' resumed the voyage on Sep 2 at 1.30 a.m. with an ETA at Amsterdam as of 10 a.m. The police launched an investigation. German report with photos: https://rp-online.de/nrw/staedte/wesel/wesel-zwei-schiffe-stossen-auf-rhein-zusammen-160-passagiere-an-bord_aid-46233695