KIEV (Sputnik) – The accident reportedly occurred when the boat with 36 people on board was returning to shore in Odesa region.
"As a result of the tragedy, 16 passengers died, 20 others hospitalized, a few people refused medical treatment," the ministry regional department said.
Rescue workers and law enforcement officials continue working at the site of the accident and a criminal probe has been opened into the incident.
Odesa Governor Mikheil Saakashvili’s deputy, Maria Gaidar, announced a day of mourning for Sunday, October 18.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has ordered to establish a special task force to investigate the causes of a motorboat accident in Odesa region, the cabinet press service said Saturday.
The commission is headed by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Hennadiy Zubko. Deputy Infrastructure Minister Yuri Vaskov has departed toward the scene of the accident.
