This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-47657105

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Iraq ferry sinking: 'More than 70 dead' in Tigris river Iraq ferry sinking: 'More than 70 dead' in Tigris river
(30 minutes later)
More than 70 people are reported to have died after a ferry sank in the Tigris river in Iraq's city of Mosul.More than 70 people are reported to have died after a ferry sank in the Tigris river in Iraq's city of Mosul.
Most of the passengers on board could not swim, the head of Mosul's civil defence agency said. Reports suggest more than 100 people were on board.Most of the passengers on board could not swim, the head of Mosul's civil defence agency said. Reports suggest more than 100 people were on board.
The ferry was said to be heading towards a tourist island as part of Kurdish New Year celebrations. The ferry was said to be heading towards a tourist island as part of New Year celebrations.
Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has ordered an investigation "to determine responsibilities".Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has ordered an investigation "to determine responsibilities".
In a statement Mr Mahdi said he was following the story "with pain and sadness", and ordered "all state efforts" to find survivors and treat victims.In a statement Mr Mahdi said he was following the story "with pain and sadness", and ordered "all state efforts" to find survivors and treat victims.
Dozens of people have been rescued so far, according to security sources.Dozens of people have been rescued so far, according to security sources.
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, called it a "terrible tragedy".Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, called it a "terrible tragedy".
"Our hearts go out to the families and relatives of the victims," she wrote."Our hearts go out to the families and relatives of the victims," she wrote.
Authorities had reportedly warned people about rising water levels as the gates of the Mosul dam had been opened, and some are accusing the ship operator of ignoring the advice.Authorities had reportedly warned people about rising water levels as the gates of the Mosul dam had been opened, and some are accusing the ship operator of ignoring the advice.
Images on social media showed the upturned vessel and people floating in the fast-flowing river.Images on social media showed the upturned vessel and people floating in the fast-flowing river.
Ambulances and helicopters arrived to find survivors and bodies of those killed.Ambulances and helicopters arrived to find survivors and bodies of those killed.
The vessel was said to be on its way to Umm Rabaen island, a tourist area about 4km (2.5 miles) upstream and north of the city centre. People across the region are celebrating Nowruz, the Kurdish New Year festival. The vessel was said to be on its way to Umm Rabaen island, a tourist area about 4km (2.5 miles) upstream and north of the city centre. People across the region are celebrating Nowruz, the New Year festival.
Local information source Mosul Eye tweeted an "urgent appeal" for people to go down to the river near the Fifth Bridge and the Old Bridge in the city centre to help with the rescue.Local information source Mosul Eye tweeted an "urgent appeal" for people to go down to the river near the Fifth Bridge and the Old Bridge in the city centre to help with the rescue.
It called on motorists to stop their cars to allow ambulances carrying victims to pass.It called on motorists to stop their cars to allow ambulances carrying victims to pass.
The Kurdistan Regional Government has reportedly sent 10 ambulances to Mosul from the nearby city of Duhok to help.The Kurdistan Regional Government has reportedly sent 10 ambulances to Mosul from the nearby city of Duhok to help.
Mosul was captured by the Islamic State group in June 2014 and became its de-facto capital.Mosul was captured by the Islamic State group in June 2014 and became its de-facto capital.
It was not liberated until July 2017 after a nine-month battle that left large parts of the city in ruins.It was not liberated until July 2017 after a nine-month battle that left large parts of the city in ruins.