Ship 'runs over' Amsterdam passenger ferry

A freight ship has struck a passenger ferry in a canal near Amsterdam, the Dutch state broadcaster NOS said today.

The report said the larger vessel “ran over” the small passenger ferry, used to transport pedestrians across the canal.

Several passengers were said to be in the water, but there was no information available on possible injuries.

The ferry, used to transport pedestrians across the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal, capsized and was floating upside down in the water, the NOS confirmed.

Police said they did not know how many passengers it was carrying.

Divers were in the water looking for victims and a helicopter was being used to search the water for warm spots.

The incident took place near the town of Nieuwer Ter Aa, roughly six miles south of Amsterdam.