British tourists hurt in Rhine accident

STRASBOURG, France, May 26 (Reuters) More than 20 British tourists were injured when a river ship struck a lock on the Rhine in Alsace, eastern France, today, police said.

Thirteen of the 22 injured tourists were taken to hospital with concussion. One also had a broken leg.

The ship, known as the Bellriva, struck a concrete wall designed to prevent vessels moving until the water is high enough, police said. The accident happened at 1200 IST.

The ship had left Strasbourg in eastern France early today with 208 people bound for Breisach, on the German side of the waterway separting France and Germany.

Rhine traffic was unaffected, police said.

Reuters ABM RN1733