rescuers still on scene at this time

AMSTERDAM (AP) - The Dutch state broadcaster NOS says a freight ship has struck a passenger ferry in a canal near Amsterdam.

The report says that the larger vessel "ran over" the small passenger ferry, used to transport pedestrians across the
Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal, a highly trafficked internal waterway.  Several passengers are in the water the broadcaster says, with no information yet available on possible injuries.

The ferry is capsized and floating upside down in the water, the NOS says.  Police do not know how many passengers it was carrying.  Divers are in the water looking for victims and a helicopter is
being used to search the water for warm spots.

The incident took place near a town about 6 miles south of Amsterdam.