Barge sinks tour boat in Philadelphia, 2 passengers missing

The Delaware River is a busy site for both tourism and shipping, a fatal combination on Wednesday. An amphibious tour boat — a boat that can travel on land and water — was struck by a barge while stopped in a shipping channel.The Duck boat, as they’re commonly called, capsized and sank.

Thirty-five of the 37 people on board were rescued. Two are still unaccounted for. The Duck boat is at the bottom of the Delaware River.

The Duck boat was stopped in the shipping channel because of an engine fire that prompted the crew to cease operations, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. They were waiting for a rescue boat to come get them.

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the accident. Board member Robert Sumwalt will be on the scene, holding regular press conferences.

Keep checking back on the blog for more information as it becomes available and follow reporter Ariel Zirulnick on Twitter at @ariel_news21. If you know anything about this accident or know people who were involved, please contact her at ariel.zirulnick@news21.com.

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