6 people missing after riverboat-barge collision in Russia

Six people are missing after the collision of a riverboat and a barge on the Irtysh River. Divers are searching for them, a source at the Russian Investigative Committee (SK) told Itar-Tass. Sixty two people and four crewmembers were aboard the ship. Four people died, and 35 were injured, including six children. Fifteen people, including one child, are in heavy condition. Six are missing, the SK source said. The captains of the two vessels are already questioned. Investigators are working with witnesses and studying technical documents, the source added. Skilled experts, including criminal investigation specialists, are sent from the SK central office to the Omsk Region to provide practical help in the investigation. The Polesye-8 motor ship, which was on the way from Omsk to Achair, and the cargo barge collided at the 1,843rd km of the Irtysh River, ten km away from Omsk, at about 13:20 local time on Saturday. The collision occurred near the settlement of Novaya Stanitsa. The riverboat sank. The SK West Siberian regional transport investigation department opened a criminal case over the accident on charges of water transport safety regulations violation that caused deaths.