The rescue operation has been called off, according to the Amsterdam-Amstelland Safety Region. This indicates a strong likelihood that the missing individuals are no longer alive.
Since Monday morning, the police have been searching with a specialized team for both the missing passengers and the boat they were on. “The goal is to locate the boat that was struck as quickly as possible,” a police spokesperson told the ANP news agency. “We may also find the victims there.”
The incident occurred on Sunday around 5:45 PM. Divers halted their search for the passengers after several hours. According to the safety region, this was due to the “expiration of the golden hour,” which is the critical period following a serious incident when prompt medical assistance is essential.
The search operation above water continued, utilizing drones and searching from the shore and moored boats for the missing individuals and the sunken vessel.
The circumstances surrounding the collision with the inland shipping vessel remain unclear. The two missing individuals were the only passengers on the workboat. The Afrikahaven is located in the North Sea Canal.
