A Dutch riverboat has sunk on the Scheldt River off the town of Grembergen (part of the Dendermonde municipality) in the East Flanders province. Fuel is also reportedly leaking from the vessel.
Around 10:45 on Monday, a cyclist along the Scheldt in Grembergen noticed that a boat was sinking and immediately notified the emergency services, who arrived at the scene to search for those on board.
According to the local authorities, the boatman – who was the only one on the vessel – is missing. Emergency services are searching for the man, but it is proving difficult as there is a strong current on the Scheldt, which means the boat must first be stabilised for divers to search safely. Police have deployed a drone and a helicopter and search dogs are also looking for the man.
Fuel is leaking from the vessel, Max Verdonck of the Flemish Waterway told Belga News Agency. The relevant agencies have been notified to investigate and remedy any environmental damage. "The cargo itself is harmless. But oil slicks have been observed. It probably concerns released fuel," he said.
River traffic on the Scheldt has been completely shut down. "Because the cargo riverboat was loaded with bricks, it sank in the channel. There is a blockage for up to 16 hours, possibly extended to several days, as passing is impossible at the scene: the ship is in the middle of the fairway."
