As Hungarian rescuers continue to search for five people missing since a collision between a small motorboat and a hotel barge on the Danube, more details are emerging about the accident that left two people dead. Police also released images of the motorboat, or what was left of it.
The head of the responsible rescue and exploration service in Hungary explained what investigators can already say based on the injuries of the dead – the bodies of a woman and a man have been recovered so far – and the only survivor so far and the damage to the small motorboat Radio stated: “It was a violent collision,” László Balázs said on Monday morning. The small boat, which according to media reports was carrying eight people on its way from a party on the banks of the Danube to another festival at the time of the accident, was “literally mowed down,” László continued.
Clear traces of the accident can also be seen on the front and side of the 110 meter long and eleven meter wide cruise ship, which is operated by a German travel company. It is still completely unclear how this fatal encounter could have happened late on Saturday evening. Dozens of eyewitnesses have already been interviewed – including guests of the MS Heidelberg and the passers-by who discovered the seriously injured survivor on the banks of the Danube.
One person told TV channel RTL that he had observed a lot of traffic on the Danube near Veröce, north of Budapest, that night. Suddenly he heard “a big bang”. Eyewitnesses also assume that the captain or crew must have noticed the impact, because reflectors would have turned on a short time later. But the ship continued its journey towards Passau and was only stopped at Komárom on the Slovakian border, when police, rescue services and civil protection were already searching for the wreck and the missing persons.
Family members participate in the search for missing persons
The search is still in full swing (see video below). However, this is complicated by debris and other wreckage. According to media reports, relatives of the missing are now also participating in the search. However, according to authorities, the chance of survival is “extremely low”. But we don’t want to talk about ‘victims’ yet.
Captain of a hotel ship in police custody
The captain of the MS Heidelberg was recently taken into police custody. There is a suspicion of failure to provide assistance. Apparently the man did not warn the crew members or instruct them to take the measures prescribed in the rescue protocol. However, according to shipping experts, based on current knowledge, it appears that the driver of the motorboat may have acted carelessly. Ships were not allowed to approach “closer than 30 meters,” in which case the motorboat would have had “subordination,” National Shipping Association spokesman Mihály Tóth told TV channel ATV.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
