Thar she goes! Russian floating restaurant named Silver Whale SINKS in St Petersburg 

A floating restaurant in the Russian city of St Petersburg has toppled over, sinking into an icy river.

The 'Silver Whale' restaurant, moored on the Neva River, St Petersburg, was pictured on its side today.

It was 'flooded' at about 7.30am because of damage caused by the river's icy conditions. according to Russian officials.

The local transport office is now investigating if health and safety regulations for the vessel, which was said to be unused, were followed.

Owners of the boat initially wanted to moor it on the Moskva River, Moscow, but the project wasn't agreed so it was moved to St Petersburg in 2018.

The 'Silver Whale' restaurant, moored on the Neva River, St Petersburg, was pictured on its side today

But the restaurant never opened and in September 2022 it went up for sale for around £372,000 or 35million rubles.

A Twitter user said: 'In St. Petersburg on the Neva, the floating restaurant "Silver Whale" is sinking.

'Initially, owners wanted to install it on the Moscow River, but it didn’t work out, the owner moved it to St. Petersburg and “moored” it near the Babushkin Park But the institution never opened and it was put up for sale for 35million rubles.'

Another user added: 'I remember this thing, passed by. But it's probably for the best, he somehow looked ugly.'

Meanwhile, a different user showed remorse, adding: 'Wow. All this time I was admiring it. Beautiful.'

 It was 'flooded' at about 7.30am this morning because of damage caused by the river's icy conditions, according to Russian officials

The restaurant never opened and in September 2022 it went up for sale for around £372,000 or 35million rubles