Six rescued as water taxi hits river cruise boat in Rotterdam

Six people have been pulled from the Nieuwe Maas river after a collision between a river cruise boat and a water taxi near the Erasmus bridge in Rotterdam.

The collision was captured on a webcam which shows how the water taxi sailed into the side of the tourist launch once both boats had passed under the bridge.

Other footage, shot by passersby on the bridge, shows the water taxi being towed by another boat before sinking into the water.  The passengers then emerge as the boat goes down, clutching at life jackets.

All six, including the taxi captain and a child, were taken to hospital for observation. No-one has been reported missing, but the shipping route has been closed while the emergency services complete their work.