Two Killed After German Cruise Ship Rams Into Bridge

Two crew members have been killed after a cruise ship rammed into a bridge in southern Germany.

Police said the driver's cabin was crushed under the rail bridge, killing the 49-year-old at the wheel and a 33-year-old sailor.

The other 47 crew members and 181 passengers were unhurt.

Image Caption:The driver's cabin was crushed under the bridge

The boat had just left the town of the Erlangen and was travelling along the Main Danube Canal when the crash occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning.

It was en route to the Hungarian capital Budapest.

Image Caption:The 49-year-old driver was killed in the collision 

Police said they are still investigating the cause of the crash.

"For reasons not known so far the driver's cabin of the ship collided with a bridge, and two crew members, 33 and 49-years-old, were killed," police spokesman Michael Petzold said.

Image Caption:Passengers were left on board for several hours, before they were evacuated

"The two men had to be freed with heavy equipment by firefighters."

Passengers were forced to remain on the ship for several hours while rescue teams worked to extend a rescue bridge.