Dutch Melody resumes Rhine voyage after grounding in Cologne
The river cruise ship received help from another vessel as low water continued to disrupt navigation and itineraries.
Dutch Melody resumed its downriver journey after becoming stranded in the middle of the Rhine at Cologne amid low water levels, according to German river police.
The river gauge in Cologne had fallen to 40 centimetres, leaving an estimated 1.5 metres of navigable depth. German river police said another ship assisted Dutch Melody, which has capacity for 140 passengers, allowing it to continue its voyage.
The four-deck vessel was scheduled to reach Nijmegen later on Monday.
The incident came as summer drought conditions narrowed shipping channels and reduced their depth. Dutch water authorities imposed restrictions on river traffic in response to the conditions.
Low water has also affected cruise schedules elsewhere on the Rhine. Some river cruise operators cancelled departures or reduced the length of itineraries after parts of the river became impassable.