Europe's biggest inland waterway, the Rhine River, was reopened Wednesday to downstream vessels passing a sunken chemical tanker carrying sulphuric acid. Downstream water traffic through the Rhine gorge was blocked for almost three weeks after the tanker vessel Waldhof sank, due to fears that the acid or hydrogen on board could cause an explosion. The first of 400 boats held up by the accident were able to pass the sunken vessel, while their progress was monitored by water transport authorities, dpa reported. Upstream river traffic had resumed two weeks ago. Main north-south rail lines and highways run through the gorge, which cuts through rugged hills. Five nations depend on Rhine shipping to deliver loads from Europe's biggest seaport, Rotterdam. On Thursday, salvage officials plan to start removing the acid from the Waldhof, before it can be hoisted by crane out of the river. The cause of the accident on January 13, in which two crew members disappeared, is not yet known.
