2023-08-17 06:01:00
The body of the boatman whose barge sank more than a week ago in the Scheldt in Dendermonde (East Flanders) was found in the boat during salvage operations, municipal authorities and the prosecution said Thursday.
The man was from Charleroi. An autopsy will be carried out at the University Hospital of Antwerp, while the family is assisted by the victim support services of the police.
The barge sank on August 7 but the refloating could not begin until August 14. Operations were then complicated by the current and the tides. The ship, loaded with bricks, was partially hauled out of the water on Wednesday but the response team had to wait for it to stabilize.
It was not until the night of Wednesday to Thursday that the body of the boatman could be found. One of the two dogs that accompanied him was also found dead.
Refloating and stabilization operations continue this Thursday, ahead of towing and other survey duties. Affected since the sinking, river transport could still experience disruptions until Friday.
The operations required a large number of specialists: the Dutch company Hebo (rescue) mobilized 57 people, civil protection 14, including six divers, and the police 32, in particular to isolate the surroundings from the public. The navigation police, police assistance to victims as well as the missing persons and identification of victims cell were also required.
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