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/8240226.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Mourning for Macedonia boat dead Mourning for Macedonia boat dead
(about 4 hours later)
Macedonia and Bulgaria are holding a day of mourning after a sightseeing boat sank in Lake Ohrid in south-western Macedonia, killing 15 people. Macedonia and Bulgaria have been mourning the death of 15 people, killed after a sightseeing boat sank in Lake Ohrid in south-western Macedonia.
The Ilinden sank about 200m from the shore, reportedly within four minutes. Some 42 passengers were rescued, but four were seriously injured.The Ilinden sank about 200m from the shore, reportedly within four minutes. Some 42 passengers were rescued, but four were seriously injured.
Macedonia says the accident may have been caused by a combination of a technical fault and overcrowding.Macedonia says the accident may have been caused by a combination of a technical fault and overcrowding.
All of those killed were Bulgarian, the government in Sofia has said.All of those killed were Bulgarian, the government in Sofia has said.
Macedonian Transport Minister Mile Janakievski has offered his resignation, for what is described as "ethical reasons", in the aftermath of what police said was the worst accident ever to happen on the lake.Macedonian Transport Minister Mile Janakievski has offered his resignation, for what is described as "ethical reasons", in the aftermath of what police said was the worst accident ever to happen on the lake.
The captain of the boat said there was a "loud crack" before the boat sank, police say.The captain of the boat said there was a "loud crack" before the boat sank, police say.
Police have described the incident, which happened at Macedonia's best-known tourist resort, as "an enormous tragedy".Police have described the incident, which happened at Macedonia's best-known tourist resort, as "an enormous tragedy".
Earlier reports said 19 people had died and indicated that the cause could have been overcrowding, with 73 passengers on board, when the boat only had a permit for a maximum of 45. Bulgaria said the dead included one child.
However, later on Saturday Macedonian officials lowered the death toll to 15 and said there had been about 57 passengers on board.
In neighbouring Bulgaria, the government information office said the dead included one child.
"The 23-year-old skipper and his deputy have been questioned about the incident," Macedonian police spokesman Ivo Kotevski told the Associated Press news agency."The 23-year-old skipper and his deputy have been questioned about the incident," Macedonian police spokesman Ivo Kotevski told the Associated Press news agency.
Government ministers from both Bulgaria and Macedonia continue to remain at the scene of the accident.
Cries of helpCries 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.
In pictures: Lake disasterIn pictures: Lake disaster
"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 BBC Macedonian."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 BBC Macedonian.
"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.
A minute's silence has already been held for the victims of the sinking, before a World Cup football qualifier between Bulgaria and Montenegro on Saturday.A minute's silence has already been held for the victims of the sinking, before a World Cup football qualifier between Bulgaria and Montenegro on Saturday.
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.
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 & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions