Death toll could climb to 28 in Danube collision

The Hungarian-registered Hableány sank immediately, with seven people from the boat confirmed dead and 21 missing. Seven people were rescued. No injuries were reported aboard Viking Sigyn, which remained operational and was able to dock following the collision.

Viking Sigyn remained at Budapest Thursday where local authorities questioned several crew members. Hungarian media reports of the captain's arrest were unconfirmed. An investigation is continuing.

Early Friday, Viking Sigyn left Budapest bound for Passau, the vessel's regular turnaround port.

Follows Viking Idun collision in April

Just last month Viking Idun collided with a tanker on the Scheldt River while sailing from Antwerp to Ghent. Five people aboard Viking Idun sustained minor injuries.

Wednesday's incident took place shortly after 9 p.m. at the Margaret Bridge in the centre of Budapest. A video released by the Hungarian police shows the 28-meter Hableány capsizing and sinking immediately after the impact. The 1949-built tour boat, which was certified to carry up to 60 passengers, was just finishing an hour-long excursion carrying 35 people. According to local media, 30 or 31 people were tourists, two or three were South Korean tour guides and two were Hungarian crew.

Large-scale search and rescue

Local emergency services launched a large-scale rescue operation involving police, rescue and fire services and, eventually, Hungarian army divers. Seven passengers from Hableány were rescued under adverse conditions in darkness, heavy rain and the Danube's strong current.

The search and rescue operation continued all night. The wreck of Hableány was grounded some distance from the Margaret Bridge in a depth of about four metres. By Thursday night, seven bodies were recovered, some several kilometres away from the accident site. Others aboard Hableány, including the two Hungarian crew, remained unaccounted for.

Local authorities fear the death toll may rise to 28, since the strong current and water temperatures of no more than 10 to 12 degrees Celsius make it difficult to survive for any longer period.

Wreck's search hampered

Shipping on the Danube between Budapest and the southern borderline of Hungary was suspended temporarily Thursday to facilitate the operation. At the same time, divers tried to search Hableány, but this was hampered by the strong current.

Plans are under way to salvage excursion vessel, where it is expected more bodies will be found. Local media reported this operation might take a week. Meanwhile, the South Korean government dispatched a delegation to Hungary. Support also arrived from Austria, which sent 10 divers from a special police force to support the Hungarian team.

Newly inaugurated Viking Sygyn

The 190-passenger, Swiss-registered Viking Sigyn is part of the 135-metre Viking Longships series. It was built at Germany's Neptun Werft and inaugurated in March.

Viking Cruises said it is cooperating in the investigation.