Russia boat crash kills 4, injures 49

Associated Press

MOSCOW — Russian media report that a boat being piloted by a captain suspected of being drunk has crashed into a barge, killing four people and wounding 49.

The Interfax news agency, citing regional police and emergency services, says the crash occurred Saturday on the Irtysh river, 10 kilometers from the Siberian city of Omsk.

The boat, an express ferry to a popular monastery, was carrying 60 passengers. Police told Interfax the captain appeared to be “under the influence of alcohol” when detained after the crash.

Russia has a long history of tragic accidents, some due to aging infrastructure and others due to personnel error.

In 2011, a cruise vessel sank near the central Russian city of Kazan, killing 129 people, including 50 children.