Barge Collision on Wesel-Datteln Canal No Injuries Reported, Investigation Underway

On the evening of November 23, two large barges had a serious collision on the Wesel-Datteln Canal near Hünxe, Germany. One barge, named Martyna, which is 75 meters long, crashed head-on into another barge called Stadt Lindenfels, which is 85 meters long. The accident happened early in the evening and caused a lot of damage.

The Martyna got hit very hard. Its front part called the bow, was damaged below the waterline, which means water started to get inside the boat. To stop it from sinking, the captain quickly drove the Martyna to the side of the canal and ran it onto the bank. This was a smart move because it helped keep the barge from going under.

Soon after, the fire brigade from Hünxe arrived at the scene. They managed to control the flooding and prevent more water from entering the barge. Thanks to their quick actions, the situation was brought under control.

Panama Canal: Is the Situation Affecting the Tanker Markets?

The other barge, the Stadt Lindenfels, had less damage. There was a one-meter crack in its hull, but it was not serious enough to cause a big problem. Thankfully, no one was hurt in this accident.

Both barges are still moored, or tied up, in Hünxe as the investigation continues. The water police are looking into what caused this accident. They will check to see if anything went wrong with the equipment or if someone made a mistake that led to the collision.

This part of the canal is often busy with traffic, so safety is very important. The authorities are likely to check if all safety rules were followed and if any improvements need to be made to avoid future accidents like this one.