Death toll in Russian cruise boat sinking rises to 41
Posted July 11, 2011 8:20 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
KAZAN, Russia – Russian Emergency Ministry officials say the death toll in the cruise boat sinking on the Volga River has risen to 41, while some 80 people remain missing a day after the accident.
The vessel, more than a half-century old, was carrying 208 people when it went down about three kilometres (two miles) offshore in a huge reservoir formed by the Volga near the major city of Kazan.
Officials say it was licensed to carry only 120, but it was not immediately clear if the apparent 75-per cent overload contributed to the accident. News reports say local investigators have determined that the boat was listing to starboard and having engine trouble even when it started out on the excursion.
Rescuers have found 80 survivors.
