27 Injured After Ferry Slams Into Pier in Germany

MS Adler Express. File photo courtesy Adler Schiffe

A total of 27 people were injured on Wednesday after a ferry carrying hundreds of passengers rammed into a pier in northern Germany.

A statement from the ship’s operator said that the Adler Express ferry was carrying over 234 passengers when it slammed into a pier at the North Frisian island of Amrum at 10:54 a.m. after the ship lost steering and was unresponsive to the captain’s commands.

Of the 27 injured, 6 sustained serious injuries and two were originally listed as having life-threatening injuries.

Photos of the ferry following the allision show the ship’s bow smashed and passengers being taken off on stretchers.

The ship was believed to be doing at about 6 to 7 knots when the allision occurred.

An update Thursday said that an initial investigation by Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU), employees of the Water Police and class society Germanischer Lloyd has determined that the ship lost control due to a technical defect of the joystick.

The Adler Express has been taken to a shipyard in Husum, where it will be dry docked for repairs.

The vessel is operated by Adler Schiffe.