Cruise ship bound for the Netherlands collides with oil tanker

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A Viking River Cruises ship carrying 171 passengers has crashed into an oil tanker during a night voyage near the port Terneuzen in the Netherlands, which is located in the province of Zeeland.

The Viking Idun cruise ship, which was travelling off the coast of Terneuzen in the Netherlands when it collided with the tanker, experienced serious damage to its bow, according to Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant (PZC).

PZC also reports the Idun was stuck for a short time after its collision ripped a large hole in the oil tanker’s hull just above the water line.

While the tanker was loaded with petroleum and was on its way to Antwerp, Belgium no oil leak has been reported, according to 9News.

No one on board the oil tanker was hurt, the Zeeland Safety Agency said, but five people on board the Idun were slightly injured.

The ships were escorted to port to be inspected the next morning to determine whether they would be able to continue their journeys.

“The [Idun] sustained some damage near the bow and is currently docked in Terneuzen with all guests,” Viking told 9 news in a statement.

“While damage of the ship is being assessed, guests will continue with a modified version of the itinerary.”

The incident came a little over two weeks after a separate incident involving the Viking Sky, requiring a daring maritime evacuation of its entire cabin and crew, after an engine failure on board caused by a lack of lubricant oil.

Viking Sky was on a 12-day cruise along Norway’s coast when the storm hit, with mostly English speaking passengers from America, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

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