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Volga boat tragedy: Russia mourns Bulgaria victims | Volga boat tragedy: Russia mourns Bulgaria victims |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Russia is observing a day of mourning after as many as 110 people died when an overloaded boat sank on the Volga. | Russia is observing a day of mourning after as many as 110 people died when an overloaded boat sank on the Volga. |
Some 50 children were said to be among those who drowned when the Bulgaria, a tourist boat, sank on Sunday. | |
Around 80 people were rescued on the wide section of the river in Tatarstan, 750km (450 miles) east of Moscow. Some 50 bodies have been found. | Around 80 people were rescued on the wide section of the river in Tatarstan, 750km (450 miles) east of Moscow. Some 50 bodies have been found. |
Officials say the boat's capacity was 120 passengers and crew, but it had been carrying 208 people. | Officials say the boat's capacity was 120 passengers and crew, but it had been carrying 208 people. |
President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered a check of all transport services, saying the old double-decker boat was in a poor condition. | President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered a check of all transport services, saying the old double-decker boat was in a poor condition. |
Trapped bodies | Trapped bodies |
A 50-strong team of divers had been scouring the sunken boat in the murky river for survivors, and seen about 50 bodies - most of them children - trapped in a recreation room on the sunken vessel, emergency ministry officials told Reuters. | A 50-strong team of divers had been scouring the sunken boat in the murky river for survivors, and seen about 50 bodies - most of them children - trapped in a recreation room on the sunken vessel, emergency ministry officials told Reuters. |
A survivor said the children had gathered in the play area on the second deck just before the boat went down. | A survivor said the children had gathered in the play area on the second deck just before the boat went down. |
Officials say there is little hope of finding any more survivors. | Officials say there is little hope of finding any more survivors. |
The divers have been tapping on the hull in the hope of getting a response fom a trapped survivor, but have received no response. They have seen many dead bodies trapped in the boat's holds and the restaurants. | The divers have been tapping on the hull in the hope of getting a response fom a trapped survivor, but have received no response. They have seen many dead bodies trapped in the boat's holds and the restaurants. |
More than 40 bodies have been recovered so far. | More than 40 bodies have been recovered so far. |
The Bulgaria was caught in a storm on Sunday at about 1400 (1000 GMT) while sailing from Bolgary to the regional capital, Kazan, and sank within minutes at one of the widest points of the river. | The Bulgaria was caught in a storm on Sunday at about 1400 (1000 GMT) while sailing from Bolgary to the regional capital, Kazan, and sank within minutes at one of the widest points of the river. |
The bad weather, mechanical failure on the 55-year-old vessel and overcrowding have all been cited as possible reasons why the boat sank. | The bad weather, mechanical failure on the 55-year-old vessel and overcrowding have all been cited as possible reasons why the boat sank. |
The Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation, amid suspicions that negligence contributed to the tragedy. | The Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation, amid suspicions that negligence contributed to the tragedy. |
Even before the boat had set sail on Sunday, one of its two engines had malfunctioned and the vessel had been listing, investigators say. | Even before the boat had set sail on Sunday, one of its two engines had malfunctioned and the vessel had been listing, investigators say. |
The 80m (260ft) boat sank several kilometres from the shore near the village of Sukeyevo, about 80km (45 miles) south of Kazan. | The 80m (260ft) boat sank several kilometres from the shore near the village of Sukeyevo, about 80km (45 miles) south of Kazan. |
The Volga, Europe's largest river, is popular with cruise boats at this time of the year. | The Volga, Europe's largest river, is popular with cruise boats at this time of the year. |
Are you in the vicinity of the sinking? Do you know anyone who may have been on the boat? Send us your comments and experiences. | Are you in the vicinity of the sinking? Do you know anyone who may have been on the boat? Send us your comments and experiences. |
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