Overview
- The MS Anna Katharina struck a lock gate and quay at the Freudenau lock in the early hours, badly damaging the ship’s bow but not causing any reported serious injuries.
- Emergency crews evacuated about 200 people using a turntable ladder, a fireboat and transfers to another ship, and firefighters secured the vessel before ending operations.
- Fourteen people suffered minor injuries and six were taken to Donauspital for further treatment; authorities say there were no seriously injured passengers.
- Investigators are questioning the ship’s 49-year-old Polish captain and are examining whether a technical defect or loss of maneuverability on board caused the collision.
- The MS Anna Katharina is a 135-meter river cruise ship in the Scylla fleet since 2019, and the incident has triggered an official probe and local navigation restrictions while damage and safety checks continue.