DRUNK CAPTAIN BLAMED AS 11 DIE

MOSCOW Two boats collided near Volgograd in southern Russia, killing 11 people, authorities said Tuesday. A state media report said the captain of one of the vessels was drunk.

The accident occurred late Monday on the Volga River. According to a statement from regional emergency officials, a barge being pulled by a towboat collided with a paddleboat carrying 16 people on a sightseeing tour.

The statement said 11 people were killed and five others were rescued. Authorities have started an investigation into the cause of the crash.