Two missing after collision sinks boat in Amsterdam port
Two people are missing after a collision between two boats in the Afrikahaven port in Amsterdam. Dive teams and sonar boats searched underwater for the missing people, but it was to no avail, reported Veiligheidsregio Amsterdam-Amstelland, the security office that covers the region’s emergency services.
The Veiligheidsregio reported the accident at 6:20 p.m. on Sunday. A large inland vessel collided with a small work boat, which disappeared underwater. The two missing people were in the small boat.
The emergency services responded en masse, launching a large-scale search and rescue operation. But the underwater search was halted without success several hours later “due to the passing of the golden hour,” the Veiligheidsregio said.
The golden hour refers to the critical period immediately following a serious trauma when rapid medical assistance is crucial. After this golden hour, the chance of survival is considered minimal.
The emergency services pulled out the divers and sonar equipment, but continued to search from moored boats and with drone teams above the water until around 10:00 p.m. They found no trace of the missing people.
Boats operating in the harbor and the part of the North Sea Canal that connects to it will continue increased surveillance, the Veiligheidsregio reported.
The police are investigating how the collision occurred.
