Mainz Ministry of Environment is clear
On the Rhine is a capsized tanker carrying sulfuric acid, according to
Ministry of Environment is not an acid leak. Two crew members are
missing.
On the Rhine, on Thursday, a tanker with 2,400 tons of sulfuric acid
on board has capsized. According to the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry
of Environment is the ship's hull is intact and not yet leaked
sulfuric acid. In the vicinity of the ship in the water a slight
lowering of the pH value was measured. This value was done according
to the present findings, however, probably do with a possible leakage
of the hazardous chemical. The Ministry still widespread precautionary
information on the International Warning and Alarm Plan Rhine. But
even in the event that acid escapes, no direct environmental damage is
expected. The acid will be rapidly diluted in the waters of the Rhine
much swollen, said a police spokesman.
After the disaster in the immediate vicinity of the Lorelei was the
river for the boat traffic was blocked, said the Water and Shipping
Authority of Bingen. Two of the four crew members were rescued, the
others were still missing. However, the hope is disappearing at a
rescue, given the low water temperatures rapidly. But may be one of
the men trapped in the back of the ship and have so survived.
The Director of Water and Shipping Office Bingen, Martin Mauermann,
said the cause of the accident was unclear until now. "The ship was in
normal driving and suddenly disappeared from the radar screen," said
Mauermann. "There is no involvement of any other ship was there." The
Rhine remained closed to navigation in order to secure the cargo. The
accident happened near St. Goar. The 110 meter long ship tank engine
is on the port side of the flood leading Rhine, only a half sticking
out of the water.
The ship had been secured, so it does not abort, the spokesman said.
After the arrival of experts at the scene will advise shortly on how
the tanker could be salvaged. Was currently difficult to estimate when
the Rhine will open again to traffic. This depends also from the high
water level. On Friday at Koblenz would expect such high water levels,
that shipping would have to be adjusted anyway.
The German ship had started its journey at BASF in Ludwigshafen. Among
the four crew members were three German and one Czech, said Joerg
Hitzelberger Water Police Office of Rhineland-Palatinate in Mainz.
Sulphuric acid is one of the most aggressive acids and is one of the
most important raw materials for the chemical industry. It is used for
example for the production of fertilizers, detergents, pharmaceuticals
and explosives.
