Seven people are confirmed dead & more than 20 are still missing after a tourist boat crashed into a river ship on the Danube near central Budapest.
The river boat called ‘The Mermaid’ was carrying 33 South Korean tourists and tour guides when it crashed into a larger Viking Cruises ship and sunk sideways within seconds.
Only seven of the 35 people have been found dead, the other 21 are still missing.
@BBC_HaveYourSay rescue teams this afternoon, #Budapest pic.twitter.com/rqDMdnkmqI
— Gabriella Tóth (@GabriellaRitaT) May 30, 2019
The accident occured near Budapest’s Parliament Building and close to the Margaret Bridge, which is still open and allowing traffic to pass over and under.
It’s believed that authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the accident, citing that it may have been the cause of human error.
Tourist boat crash: 7 killed, 19 missing on Danube River in #Budapest
STORY: https://t.co/JtAmSko3ZC pic.twitter.com/srIGawanzQ
— RT (@RT_com) May 30, 2019
The Captain of the cruise ship has since been taken into custody by Hungarian police for “alleged reckless misconduct in waterborne traffic leading to mass casualties”, Al Jazeera reported.
In a statement, Viking Cruises confirmed the ship involved in the collission to be Viking Sigyn and issued condolences to those affected by the accident.
“There were no injuries to Viking crew or Viking guests. We have been and continue to cooperate fully with the authorities while they undertake their investigations.”
Viking Cruises