Vujić for NAP: Investigation into Danube boat accident begins, South Korean delegation to arrive

BUDAPEST, (Patria) - Hungarian police and relevant authorities have begun investigative actions to shed light on the Danube boat accident, in which seven people lost their lives and 21 went missing.

Hungarian ATV television journalist Tvrtko Vujić told the Patria agency that a delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs has departed from South Korea for Hungary, given that all passengers on the boat were South Korean tourists. 

The accident occurred when the smaller boat "Sirena" suddenly capsized and went under a larger boat, sinking in just seven seconds.

Vujić explains that local experts described it as being like a collision between a train and a bus. The accident happened between two central bridges in Budapest. One of the deceased passengers was found kilometers away.

Experts believe that the low Danube temperatures, between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius, offer no hope that any of the 21 missing persons will survive.

Vujić says that none of the seven rescued passengers were wearing life vests.

The Danube cruise was the last program of the first day of the South Korean tourists' visit.

The spokesperson for the company that owns the boat "Sirena" stated that the boat was about 50 years old and that the crew was highly trained and experienced.