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41 Dead, 80 Missing After Russia Cruise Ship Sinks

80 rescued thus far in Volga disaster

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 11, 2011 5:47 AM CDT | Updated Jul 11, 2011 8:02 AM CDT

(Newser) – The numbers are getting worse: 41 people, including five children, are dead, with more than 80 still missing after an overpacked cruise ship sank on the Volga River in Russia yesterday afternoon. An official now says the Bulgaria was carrying 208 people—far more than the 120 it was licensed to hold, the AP reports. The cause of the sinking remains unclear, but survivors say a wave hit the deck as the boat leaned into a turn; the ship then sank within eight minutes in 65-foot deep water, says an official.

Local investigators say the ship was listing as the voyage began, possibly due to unemptied sewage tanks, and that the port engine was malfunctioning, according to Russia's state news agency. Some 80 Russians have been rescued as searchers continue to work.

Rescue boats try to locate passengers of a tourist boat that sunk on the Volga River in central Russia on Sunday, July 10, 2011.
Rescue boats try to locate passengers of a tourist boat that sunk on the Volga River in central Russia on Sunday, July 10, 2011.   (AP Photo/Ministry of Emergency Situations press service)
Relatives of passengers believed to be aboard a cruise ship which sank await fresh information at a river station in Kazan.
Relatives of passengers believed to be aboard a cruise ship which sank await fresh information at a river station in Kazan.   (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
Relatives of passengers believed to be aboard a cruise ship which sank await fresh information at a river Station in Kazan, about 450 miles east of Moscow, Russia, Monday, July 11, 2011.
Relatives of passengers believed to be aboard a cruise ship which sank await fresh information at a river Station in Kazan, about 450 miles east of Moscow, Russia, Monday, July 11, 2011.   (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
Relatives and friends speak on phone while waiting for passengers of a riverboat carrying dozens of survivors of the shipwreck in Kazan, central Russia.
Relatives and friends speak on phone while waiting for passengers of a riverboat carrying dozens of survivors of the shipwreck in Kazan, central Russia.   (AP Photo/Roman Kruchinin)
A relative embraces a survivor upon the arrival of the Arabella riverboat with dozens of survivors of a shipwreck in Kazan, on Sunday, July 10, 2011, on the Volga River, in central Russia.
A relative embraces a survivor upon the arrival of the Arabella riverboat with dozens of survivors of a shipwreck in Kazan, on Sunday, July 10, 2011, on the Volga River, in central Russia.   (AP Photo/Roman Kruchinin)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
dungbeetle
Jul 11, 2011 11:25 AM CDT
Yessir, that free enterprise lack of government regulations really works, doesn't it? Just leave everything to the trustworthy corporate, profit-oriented businesses and all will be well. Are you sure the Repugs weren't involved in this? Just askin' . . . 

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