Tuesday, September 8, 2015

3 sailors asphyxiated to death on "Rhenus Strassburg" tug boat in Germany



Monday, 07 September 2015 12:32
Three crew members died in a cavity 

Written by AdminSailor




The captain of the "Rhenus Strassburg" discovered three of his crew members dead inside a cavity at the lock Greifenstein (District Tulln), on Sep 6, 2015. 


The men had controlled the cavity which ensured that the vessel remained. 

The captain had the last contact with his men at Tulln. 

First, two sailors had descended, but did not return onto the upper deck. The third man apparently then also climbed down, he was found lifeless on the ladder.

Because it was not possible to enter the cavity with respirators, the space had to be ventilated. 

The hatch of the cavity was having a size of about 40 by 25 centimeters, fitting for one person only. Firefighters needed enormous efforts to remove the three deceased sailors. 

The fire department upon its arrival at the site, conducted pollution measurements which were inconclusive. 

There remained still a complete mystery why the men have died. The police and prosecutors launched an investigation. 

The "Rhenus Strassburg" was enroute from a yard stay in Linz to Bulgaria with the empty barges "SL Antverpia 50" which had been berthed in Aschach and "SL Antverpia 51" which had been berthed in Enns. 

Austrian reports with photos: noe.orf.at/news/s... www.krone.at/Oest... www.nachrichten.a...