MS Swiss Crystal (riverboat owned by Scylla AG) completed a 7-night cruise from Passau to Frankfurt am Main along the rivers Danube and Main on October 17. The folk music-themed voyage was chartered by 1Avista Reisen.
Following the voyage, 60 out of 92 passengers (mostly Swiss) tested COVID-positive. Some of the travellers developed symptoms and got a corona test. Those who tested positive - including the cruise organizers (Hanspeter and Elsbeth Balsiger) and the popular pop singer Monique - are currently in isolation.
Several music events took place onboard Swiss Crystal during the voyage, including a singer and a brass music concert. According to a statement by the organizer, the hygiene concept, including a mask requirement, had always been adhered to. However, passengers and musicians stayed in the same room for several hours, where there was singing and a brass band played. While sitting in the room, there was no mask requirement.
The landing was possible for the passengers so that could represent a possible source of infection. However, it is not clear exactly where the source of the infection was.