Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Ship, Ferry Collide Off Sicily, Four Dead

A collision between a container ship and a commuter hydrofoil off the coast of Sicily left four people dead and dozens injured, said the Italian authorities. All of the dead were crew members of the high-speed ferry, including its captain and chief engineer, while no one aboard the cargo vessel was hurt, said the police.
Segesta Jet
The hydrofoil Segesta Jet, operated by Italian Railways, was traveling from the city of Reggio Calabria on the Italian mainland to Messina in Sicily on a regular afternoon rush hour commuter run. It collided with the container ship Susan Borchard Flying the flag of Antigua in a narrow section of the Straits of Messina.
Susan Borchard
Hospitals on both sides of the strait were treating the injured, said government officials, noting about eight people were in serious condition. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
The wreckage of the hydrofoil ferry the Segesta Jet

Scratches are seen on the bow of the Susan Borchard following the collision

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