Tour boat carrying 33 South Koreans goes down in storm on Danube River in downtown Budapest
Budapest, Hungary — Dozens of rescue workers searched the Danube River in downtown Budapest for 21 people missing after a sightseeing boat with 33 South Koreans sank after colliding with a larger cruise ship during an evening downpour. Seven people were confirmed dead, officials said Thursday, and none of the tourists were wearing life jackets.
Seven other people have been rescued, Pal Gyorfi, spokesman for the National Ambulance Service, said. They were hospitalized in stable condition following the accident Wednesday night.
Two Hungarian crew members were also missing.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in instructed officials to employ «all available resources» to support the rescue efforts in Hungary. Moon’s spokeswoman Ko Min-jung said in Seoul that Moon also ordered the launch of a government task force led by Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha to assist Hungarian officials investigating the cause of the collision.
A team of South Korean officials left for Hungary on Thursday to assist with the rescue operations and support passengers and their families. Kang was also to travel to Hungary.
The foreign ministry said in a briefing Thursday that the Seoul government will closely cooperate with Hungarian officials so rescue efforts can proceed swiftly and effectively.
The 33 South Koreans included 30 tourists on a package tour of Europe, two guides and one photographer, according to the South Korea-based Very Good Tour agency, which organized the trip.
