Rescuers have begun an operation to refloat a barge that sank last Monday in the Scheldt river near Dendermonde.
The operation aims to recover the corpse of the boatman, originally from Charleroi, and his two dogs, who have been missing since the boat, hauling a cargo of stones, sank into the river.
On 7 August, a cyclist spotted a boat sinking on the river. Emergency services arrived at the scene but were unable to locate the missing boatman. The sinking ship was leaking fuel and led to the closure of the Scheldt to traffic. Searches for the man were made difficult by a strong current and were eventually called off.
A large workboat has now arrived at the scene, equipped with a crane and a floating pontoon, to attempt to lift the sunken ship. The vessel is believed to be on its side underwater, and will first be righted at the bottom of the river.
A second floating pontoon will then be placed at the front of the ship. A crane boat will then lift the hold, which will be drained, hopefully allowing the vessel to float once again. The wreckage will then be investigated by prosecutors.
Professional and recreational water traffic is set to be opened again at some time on Saturday. Towpaths on both banks of the river will also remain closed to pedestrians and cyclists throughout the duration of the operation.
