solution sought - Ship traffic at Huntebridge remains closed due to accident
Due to the accident at the railway bridge in Elsfleth (Wesermarsch district), shipping traffic on the Hunte is still suspended in both directions. It is still unclear how long this will last, according to a spokesperson for the Water Police. Discussions between representatives of the ports, the railway, and politics are planned for this Thursday (25.7.). They will discuss the consequences of the accident and the next steps.
The inland vessel collided with the railway bridge in the afternoon on a Tuesday. The bridge house of the tanker was almost completely torn off, the bridge and the overhead line were damaged. The ship's captain and another crew member were taken to the hospital with slight injuries. The railway traffic over the bridge was stopped for an indefinite period, a bus shuttle was set up. The structure in question is a temporary bridge, as a inland vessel had collided with the regular railway bridge in February.
Mayor Michael Kurz (SPD) of Brakes is hoping for a quick repair of the damaged railway bridge so that the ports in Brake and Nordenham can be served again. "Millions of tonnes of cargo are transported to and from the ports," he told NDR.
- The accident at the temporary Railway bridge in Elsfleth's Wesermarsch district has disrupted ship traffic on the Hunte River, affecting both incoming and outgoing shipping.
- The ship involved in the accident was a tanker, and despite minor injuries to the ship's captain and another crew member, the ship traffic suspension and bridge damage are causing significant inconvenience.
- Efforts to repair the damaged highway bridge and resume railway traffic are ongoing, as the suspension is affecting the various shipping industries and businesses in Lower Saxony, including the ports in nearby cities like Elsfleth, Brake, and Nordenham.
- The incident has also impacted the usual ship traffic in the area, prompting the authorities to consider possible alternatives, such as adjusting the hunting schedules around the river to minimize any conflicts with ship traffic.
- The scenic Hunter's Bridge, a popular destination for tourists in Lower Saxony, has remained closed to the public as a result of the construction and repair work on the damaged railway bridge.
