An 80 meter long cargo ship sank on the Danube during a lock operation in Bavaria. The ship loaded with iron ore sank for an unknown reason after entering the Geisling lock, said a spokeswoman for the Oberpfalz police headquarters in Regensburg on Friday on request.
The two crew members - the captain and helmsman - were therefore able to save themselves by swimming. The 64-year-old helmsman got water in his lungs and had to be taken to the hospital. The 61-year-old captain suffered hypothermia.
Smuggling between Regensburg and Passau is no longer possible, said the police spokeswoman. However, there are no major consequences for cargo ship traffic because the lock should be closed for maintenance work for three weeks anyway. Ship traffic has already adjusted to this.
According to initial estimates, the damage to the ship is at least in six figures. For the extensive rescue measures to be expected and the cleaning of the lock, however, further costs in the millions are to be expected. There was no environmental pollution of the Danube because the lock was tight and no leaked oil got into the flowing water.
According to the police spokeswoman, the salvage of the wreck is now being planned. This should take place over the coming week.