Two people killed after cruise ship hits bridge in Germany

The Viking Freya ship had just cast off when it struck the bridge. Credit: Reuters/Michaela Rehle

Two people have died after a cruise ship hit a bridge in Germany.

The incident occurred after the vessel, the Viking Freya, had just cast off with nearly 230 people on board.

The impact crushed the wheelhouse and killed two crew members - a 49-year-old who was guiding the vessel in place of the captain and a 33-year-old sailor.

Both men were from Hungary.

The ship was leaving the town of Erlangen while it was still dark, on its way to the Hungarian capital, Budapest, along the Main-Danube Canal.

Police said the 181 passengers and 47 other crew members on the voyage were unhurt.

They stayed on the ship for hours until rescue workers could extend a walkway to get them off and take them to nearby hotels.

The ship's wheelhouse was crushed and two crew members died. Credit: Reuters/Michaela Rehle

In a statement Viking Cruises said the company was "heartbroken".

Police said the cause of the incident was under investigation but speaking to local media a police spokesman said it appeared the retractable wheelhouse was not lowered in time.