Originally published on August 18, 2013
At least six people were killed and 47 injured when a hovercraft crashed into a barge on the Irtysh River 10 kilometers away from the Russian city of Omsk on Saturday.
The accident took place at around 10:55 a.m., as a Polesye-8 hovercraft carrying 56 passengers and four crew members was sailing from Omsk to a local convent roughly 50 km south of the city. The vessel was carrying mostly pilgrims, and the convent is frequently visited by Orthodox believers, according to RT.com
Officials say the hovercraft crashed head-on into the barge, sustaining most of the damage while the barge was mostly unharmed. Holes puncturing the hovercraft on the left side caused the vessel to partially sink into the water. Preliminary information showed six people were killed at 47 were injured, according to a statement by investigators. The people were injured, which included eight children, were sent to different hospitals in Omsk. Police said fourteen people were in critical condition.
Some reports said divers were looking for missing people, but were unable to find anyone in the water.
Witnesses of the accident began rescue efforts to save passengers before authorities were on the scene. Police detained the captain after a medical check revealed he had a blood alcohol level of 0.1 percent.
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