A Viking longship, Viking Idun was in a collision with a tanker carrying petroleum while sailing from Antwerp on the Scheldt river in the early hours of Monday, April 1.

Both ships suffered significant damages above the waterline. Viking Idun has a smashed bow and a large gash can be seen on the hull of the tanker, Chemical Marketer.

Viking Idun was sailing from Antwerp to Ghent with 171 passengers and 44 crew members when the accident occurred, shortly after midnight.

All passengers remained on board Viking Idun as she was towed to Terneuzen in the Netherlands.

The damaged bow of Viking Idun
The damaged bow of Viking Idun, Source: Jasper Schuttevaar

Viking released a statement saying, “We can confirm that just after midnight (CEST) on 1 April, Viking Idun and a cargo vessel collided while sailing from Antwerp to Ghent.

“No guests were injured. The ship sustained some damage near the bow and is currently docked in Terneuzen with all guests. While damage of the ship is being assessed, guests will continue with a modified version of the itinerary.”

However, Seatrade Cruise News reported that five people on Viking Idun suffered minor injuries, quoting Zeeland emergency services.

Four were passengers, and were treated on board Viking Idun by medical staff. One crew member was transferred to hospital for closer investigation.

Tammy Miller, a Colorado resident who was a passenger on Viking Idun, also posted on her Facebook page saying that some passengers had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.

She also posted an update saying that the passengers and crew that were hurt are all going to be okay and they have continued their holiday in Brugge, Belgium.

“We were lucky to just have broken glass all over our room and a cut on my hand … We were immediately surrounded by rescue ships and coast guard ships,” writes Ms Miller.

Shattered glass in the ship
Shattered glass in the ship, Source: Tammy Miller

There were no injuries aboard the cargo vessel.

Chemical Marketer remains moored near the site of the collision and the cause of the incident is still under investigation.

“We hope to have the ship in operation in time for its next departure on 4 April, if that should not be so future guests will be accommodated on another Viking Longship,” adds the statement from Viking.

“Viking’s Customer Relations team will communicate directly with the guests or their travel agents.”

The incident comes just a week after Viking Sky lost power off the Norwegian Coast, which led to an evacuation of over 400 passengers by helicopter.

Viking is the largest river cruise operator in Europe with a fleet of 57, including seven new vessels launched last month.