Two dead, two missing after ferries collide in Dutch Wadden Sea

Two people were killed while another two have gone missing following a vessel collision incident in the Wadden Sea in the northern Netherlands on Friday, October 21.

The incident occurred at around 07:15 local time on Friday when the fast ferry Tiger and the water taxi Stormloper collided with each other in the waters between the Dutch mainland and Terschelling in the West Frisian Islands.

Due to the force of the impact, all eight people who were on Stormloper ended up in the water.

Two of the water taxi’s passengers were later pronounced deceased. The captain and at least one other individual meanwhile suffered critical injuries.

The two missing individuals include an adult male and a 12-year-old boy.

The fast ferry crew reported no injuries among themselves or their 27 passengers.

The search and rescue (SAR) effort also involved vessels and helicopters from numerous agencies including the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution and the Netherlands Coastguard.

The SAR operation was suspended later in the day on Friday after emergency service workers concluded there was a low probability the water taxi’s two missing passengers would still be found alive.

Dutch maritime safety officials and local police have launched an investigation into the incident.