4 missing after 2 boats collide on Mississippi River

By the CNN Wire Staff

Updated 12:59 PM ET, Sat May 19, 2012

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Story highlights

One boat was carrying 11 people and the other only one
They collide shortly after midnight Saturday
At least three persons are injured, one seriously

Four persons are missing after two boats collided shortly after midnight Saturday on the Mississippi River, said fire department officials in Burlington, Iowa.

One boat was carrying 11 people and the other only one, Battalion Chief Ken Morris of the Burlington Fire Department told CNN.

At least three persons were injured, and one of them was flown to Iowa City because of serious injuries, Morris said.

Authorities received a call at 2:30 a.m. ET Saturday, and the investigation is ongoing, Morris said.