Niehl harbor basin Dutch party ship sinks in Cologne
Cologne · A party ship from the Netherlands sunk in a Cologne harbor on Christmas day. Diesel fuel leaked out into the harbor waters and the fire department was called in to contain it.
The fire department was deployed to the Cologne-Niehl harbor on Tuesday morning at 11 am. Two ships had been moored next to each other in the harbor basin. Presumably the level of water rose and the Dutch party ship got stuck with one corner of the stern under the upper edge of the quay wall.
As a result, the ship was tilted and water seeped in. The emergency workers could not prevent the ship from sinking. Only a part of the upper floor of the ship was left protruding from the water. There were no people on board. According to the Cologne fire department, the ship, like many others, was moored in Niehl harbor for the winter.
According to the fire department, the ship leaked a considerable amount of diesel and other fuels. As a result, the southern tip of the harbor basin was sealed off so that the substances could not contaminate other areas.
Over the next few days, the ship is to be lifted with a crane and transported away, according to the fire department's operations director. The fire department was on site with around 60 emergency personnel and two boats.
(Orig. text: ga.de / Translation: ck)
