Ferry breaks free of moorings, strikes two other vessels in Croatia's Split Port

A ferry broke free of its moorings in bad weather and accidentally struck two other vessels, causing one of these to sink, at the Port of Split in Croatia on Monday, July 7.

The incident involving the 91-metre Ro-Pax ferry Petar Hektorović and the tour boat Kruna Mora occurred after strong winds severed the larger vessel's mooring lines, which then caused it to drift.

The tour boat eventually sank due to damage sustained. However, no injuries or pollution have been reported.

Eyewitnesses said they saw one person on the tour boat jump out as the vessel started to sink.

Petar Hektorović had also struck another vessel, identified as the fast ferry Krilo, though the latter remains afloat.

Authorities are still working to determine the extent of the damage suffered by both Petar Hektorović and Krilo.

Local media said the incident at the port occurred as the city of Split was experiencing a sudden intense storm that had also caused flooding and power outages in the surrounding areas.