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Chaos on the Main: 30 ships are stuck near Würzburg!
On December 8th, 2025, around 30 ships blocked the Main near Würzburg after an accident. Cleaning measures are underway.
Chaos on the Main: 30 ships are stuck near Würzburg!
A huge accident has caused excitement on the Main in the Würzburg district. Around 30 ships are stuck and blocking two locks. Since Saturday evening, December 6th, a significant amount of around 3,500 liters of diesel fuel has been leaking into the water from a passenger ship. Cleaning work on the river and banks is currently ongoing and is scheduled to continue on Tuesday Newstime reported.
The situation is tense, but five ships are allowed to pass the closed route on a trial basis. Fortunately, there have so far been no reports of dead fish or water birds, which initially reassures the authorities. The emergency services' efforts are currently focused on cleaning and ensuring water quality.
Freighter ship brings traffic to a standstill
The fact that the Main is severely obstructed is due, among other things, to two stuck freighters. A freighter has been blocking the Main in Karlstadt since Tuesday and several attempts to bring the ship back into the shipping channel have failed. It was only after a fifth attempt that things were moved, but the closure will remain in place until Thursday. The river needs to be re-assessed following the incidents to ensure it is safe to navigate, such as n-tv reported.
The other freight ship that was blocked in Würzburg was freed early in the evening. The freighter in Karlstadt, however, turned out to be more stubborn, as it hit a solid component in the river while leaving a port and was driven sideways by the current. A first attempt at rescue in Karlstadt failed after a rope broke. Divers are now on duty to inspect the ship for damage before moving on.
In the meantime, the water level of the Main has also risen by a few centimeters, but this is hardly noticeable compared to natural fluctuations. Given these circumstances, several ships, including the icebreaker Angermünde, have taken targeted measures to clear the traffic jams.
The emergency services on site are working around the clock to manage the accident and prevent further damage. It remains to be hoped that the situation will calm down soon and river traffic will return to normal.