7 Koreans dead, 21 missing in Hungary cruise sinking
A rescue boat is seen on the Danube river after tourist boat capsized in Budapest, Hungary, May 29, 2019. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
By Park Si-soo
Seven South Koreans have died and 21 others are missing after a sightseeing boat collided with another vessel and sank Wednesday night (local time) in the Danube River in downtown Budapest, Hungary, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The accident happened near the parliament building in Budapest at around 10 p.m. on Wednesday (local time), according to AFP.
The doomed boat, named ``Hableany'' (Mermaid), was carrying 35 ― 33 South Korean tourists and two Hungarian crew members. Seven Korean tourists have been rescued and taken to hospital in a stable condition, according to local media.
“A group of South Korean tourists were on the cruise. We're trying to figure out details,” a ministry official said.
The ministry confirmed the seven dead were Korean.
AP said searchers at the scene near Hungary's parliament included a fire boat, while other boats docked on the river banks shined spotlights onto the river in a heavy rain.
Heavy rainfall since the beginning of May has led to high water levels, complicating rescue efforts.
The sunken boat was found after several hours of searching near the Marguerite Bridge, which connects the old city of Buda and the district of Pest, local media said.
The South Korean Embassy in Hungary has launched an emergency team for the rescue and other consular efforts, and is closely coordinating with the local authorities, the foreign ministry said.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in instructed the government Thursday to use every possible means to rescue South Korean tourists, whose boat capsized in Budapest, Hungary, in cooperation with the local authorities.
Moon received a briefing on the incident from Chung Eui-yong, head of the National Security Office, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson, Ko Min-jung.
The president also ordered the formation of a government-level response team, headed by the foreign minister, she added.
The government will soon dispatch a team of officials to Hungary.
TO BE UPDATED
A rescue boat searches for victims after a tourist boat crashed with another ship, overturned and sank in the River Danube, in Budapest, Hungary, 29 May 2019. EPA
A rescue boat is seen on the Danube river after a tourist boat capsized in Budapest, Hungary, May 30, 2019. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
Rescuers and police officers inspect the dark water from a bridge after a tourist boat crashed with another ship, overturned and sank in River Danube, in Budapest, Hungary, 29 May 2019. EPA