Container Ship Crashes Into Two Bridges on the Moselle — No Injuries, Major Inspections Underway

 

Schweich / Longuich, Germany — 29 September 2025
Late on the evening of 28 September, a container-laden barge struck two road bridges spanning the Moselle River, first at Schweich and then at Longuich, authorities confirmed. The collisions occurred at approximately 23:00 local time, sending vibrations through the region and prompting immediate safety responses.

Although the vessel was carrying 40 containers, only five sustained significant damage. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and the ship itself remained structurally intact.

In the early hours of the morning, engineers from the Landesbetrieb Mobilität (LBM) conducted land-side inspections of both bridges. As a precaution, both bridges were closed to traffic from 07:00 until structural safety can be assured. Traffic authorities say they will reopen them only after clearance.

The Water Police have initiated a formal investigation. Early reports say no alcohol was found in the captain’s system, and there is no indication of mechanical failure thus far. Officials are exploring navigation errors in the narrow waterway, particularly under night conditions, as a possible cause.

This accident comes amid broader concerns about river safety on the Moselle: earlier in the year, an autopilot-equipped cargo ship severely damaged a lock, halting freight traffic for weeks.

Local mayors in Schweich and Longuich called for expedited structural reviews and said that if major repairs are needed, detours and traffic disruptions could last for days. A regional transport spokesperson, meanwhile, urged patience, citing the necessity of thorough inspections before reopening critical crossings.

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Question:
Has it been confirmed that the collisions were caused by mechanical failure of the vessel?

Ja oder Nein