Another Korean Victim Of Budapest Ship Collision Found & Identified
- 8 Jul 2019 7:52 AM
- Hungary Matters
A body found in the River Danube near Makád, around 50km south of Budapest, has been identified as a victim of the sinking of the sightseeing boat Hableány, the Budapest police headquarters said on Saturday.
The female body found in the river was reported by officers on foot patrol involved in the search for victims on Friday.
The Hableány collided with cruise ship Viking Sigyn and sank in the River Danube near Margit Bridge on May 29. It had 33 South Korean tourists on board and a crew of two Hungarians. Seven tourists were rescued from the water after the collision.
A search continues along the river downstream from the city to recover the body of one South Korean tourist still missing.
The 24 divers involved in the rescue of the passengers of the Hableány pleasure boat and the operation to raise the wreck were recognised for their efforts by the Hungarian Divers Federation (MBSZ) at a ceremony in Budapest on Friday.
The 15 divers who had taken part in the rescue operations following the collision between the Hableány and the Viking Sigyn cruise ship were also presented the Fourth Star, the highest honour awarded to divers. MBSZ president Iván Nyíri praised the divers saying that they “rewrote the rules of diving”. He added that having seen the efforts put forth by the Hungarian divers, the World Underwater Federation was preparing to make changes to the rules on diving.
Song Sun-geun, South Korea’s defence attaché accredited to Budapest, thanked the Hungarian divers for their efforts on behalf of the Korean people. He noted that South Korean military divers had also taken part in the rescue operations. Song said the Korean and Hungarian divers had bonded over the operation and learned to overcome the difficulties they encountered together.
Daily Magyar Nemzet reported on Saturday that a memorial for the two Hungarian victims of the collision would be held next Friday. The paper said, citing the organisers, that twelve boats have indicated so far that they would participate, but their number may grow.
Members of the public who wish to participate will be asked to gather on Margit Bridge and throw flowers in the river after the boats blow their horns between 11.30am and 12 noon, the paper added.
MTI Photo: Soós Lajos
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