This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8239659.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Macedonia boat sinking 'kills 19' | Macedonia boat sinking 'kills 19' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| At least 19 people have died after a sightseeing boat sank in Lake Ohrid in south-western Macedonia. | At least 19 people have died after a sightseeing boat sank in Lake Ohrid in south-western Macedonia. |
| The Ilinden sank about 200m from the shore - reportedly within four minutes. About 50 passengers have been rescued. | The Ilinden sank about 200m from the shore - reportedly within four minutes. About 50 passengers have been rescued. |
| Most of the passengers were said to be Bulgarian. It is alleged the vessel was over its maximum carrying capacity. | Most of the passengers were said to be Bulgarian. It is alleged the vessel was over its maximum carrying capacity. |
| Police have described the incident as "an enormous tragedy" and expect casualty figures to rise. Lake Ohrid is Macedonia's best known tourist resort. | Police have described the incident as "an enormous tragedy" and expect casualty figures to rise. Lake Ohrid is Macedonia's best known tourist resort. |
| Macedonia's official news agency says at the time of the accident there were 73 passengers on board, mostly Bulgarian tourists, although the boat only had a permit for a maximum of 45. | Macedonia's official news agency says at the time of the accident there were 73 passengers on board, mostly Bulgarian tourists, although the boat only had a permit for a maximum of 45. |
| Cries of help | Cries of help |
| The tourists had been on their way to the St Naum monastery complex when the 30m (98 feet) vessel broke in two and sank at about 1100 (0900 GMT), according to witnesses. | The tourists had been on their way to the St Naum monastery complex when the 30m (98 feet) vessel broke in two and sank at about 1100 (0900 GMT), according to witnesses. |
| "We were in a speed boat and we saw the boat sinking. We just turned around and we saw people crying for help," an eyewitness told the BBC Macedonian Service. | "We were in a speed boat and we saw the boat sinking. We just turned around and we saw people crying for help," an eyewitness told the BBC Macedonian Service. |
| Rescuers search the waters of Lake Ohrid | |
| "When we got there, 10 were already dead. We took seven with us, we thought we could save more but it was too late." | "When we got there, 10 were already dead. We took seven with us, we thought we could save more but it was too late." |
| Another witness told the BBC: "Around 1030 I went to the beach, and all of a sudden, I heard cries of 'Help! Help me, help me!' and we saw how the forward part of the boat had sunk in the water. | Another witness told the BBC: "Around 1030 I went to the beach, and all of a sudden, I heard cries of 'Help! Help me, help me!' and we saw how the forward part of the boat had sunk in the water. |
| "I have a small dinghy and with a friend we went towards the boat, then two more small boats came along. | "I have a small dinghy and with a friend we went towards the boat, then two more small boats came along. |
| "It was lucky that there were other small boats who came along, and threw life-saving vests and took the survivors on board. | "It was lucky that there were other small boats who came along, and threw life-saving vests and took the survivors on board. |
| Police divers are on the scene. | Police divers are on the scene. |
| "We fear more people have drowned," police spokesman Ivo Kotevski told the Associated Press news agency. | "We fear more people have drowned," police spokesman Ivo Kotevski told the Associated Press news agency. |
| A BBC correspondent in the region says accidents like this on Lake Ohrid are extremely rare. | A BBC correspondent in the region says accidents like this on Lake Ohrid are extremely rare. |
| Macedonia's president, prime minister and a number of cabinet ministers are on the scene. | Macedonia's president, prime minister and a number of cabinet ministers are on the scene. |
| The country's transport minister had offered his resignation. | The country's transport minister had offered his resignation. |
| A government statement is expected later, our correspondent adds. | A government statement is expected later, our correspondent adds. |
| Are you in Macedonia? Did you witness the event. Send us your comments. | Are you in Macedonia? Did you witness the event. Send us your comments. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |