The government contacted the partly Hungarian-owned tour organiser and the crew of the ship when the conflict broke out.

The tourists sailed to Egypt rather than Sudan, with Hungarian diplomatic assistance.

Szijjártó said the boat arrived in Gurdaka, Egypt, with citizens from 12 countries, most of them Americans and Italians, on board.

“We know of eight Hungarians who are still in Sudan, we are in continuous contact with them and we are preparing to evacuate them as well once the security circumstances are ensured”, he declared.

He added that no airlifts can take place because the airports cannot be used.

A unit of the Counter-Terrorist Centre is awaiting permission to fly to Sudan.