The rescue team search for victims on the river bank early Thursday, May 30, 2019 (credits:AP news)

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry: 7 Korean tourists dead in Hungary boat sinking

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed 7 South Korean tourists have died and 19 other are missing after a collision between boats in the Danube River in downtown Budapest, Hungary. On Wednesday night (local time), the sightseeing boat crashed into another ship and sank, adding the ministry.   

The boat was carrying a group of Korean tourist and two Hungarian crew members. 

Earlier reports mentioned 32 Korean were on boat, but the Ministry in Seoul later confirmed there were 33 South Korean tourists and 19 people were reported still missing, 

Rescue officials announced 7 remains had been founded, while another 7 victims have been saved and taken to hospital in stable condition. A search continued to find out the rest of 19 missing tourists. 

Moon Jae-in, South Korean President, commanded officials to engage “all available resources” to help the rescue team in Hungary.

Military and divers were involved in the search, however the rescue operations were difficult due to heavy rainfall has led to high water levels.  

South Korean Embassy’s employees in Budapest were also contributing to help out Hungarian officials in identifying those rescued and the decedent.

According to AFP, the accident happened nearby the neo-Gotchic Parliament Building in Budapest. The Panorama Deck boating company spokesman, Mihaly Toth said the boat tour named Hableany, meaning mermaid in Hungarian, was on a daily city sightseeing tour when the accident occurred.