11 injured after river cruise ship hits bridge in southern Slovakia

Eleven people suffered varying degrees of injury after a Danube River cruise ship struck a bridge in southern Slovakia on Friday, May 6.

The incident was confirmed by Andrej Dolezal, the country’s Minister of Transport and Construction, who initially reported that seven people on the river cruise ship Viking Aegir were injured after the vessel allided with one of the pillars of a railway bridge in the town of Komarno at 03:40 local time on Friday.

Mr Dolezal later said that another four people who were on the same vessel had also suffered injuries due to the mishap.

Eight of the injured were reportedly brought to hospital.

The impact resulted in damage to the vessel’s bow and radar mast, though no oil spills or any other signs of pollution have been detected. The extent of damage suffered by the bridge is also being assessed.

Mr Dolezal said the accident was probably caused by the captain’s “sudden medical indisposition.” However, he refused to provide additional details as the investigation into the mishap is still ongoing.

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