Survivors Recall Chaos after Tour Boat Sinking in Budapest

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean survivors of a tour boat which sank in Budapest say they barely managed to grab onto a drifting lifeboat while watching in horror as others around them struggled in the dark, rainy waters, shouting for help. Only seven of the 35 people on the boat, including 33 South Koreans, were rescued. Seven others have been confirmed dead and 21 are missing. JEMS: Seven Dead, 21 Missing after South Korean Tour Boat Sinks in Hungary Photos: Danube Tour Boat Search Survivors said the small sightseeing boat had almost finished an hourlong night tour of the Hungarian capital on Wednesday and was nearly at its stop when a larger cruise ship hit it under a bridge near the parliament building, a city landmark. They said about 20 people were on the deck taking photographs or preparing to disembark. The others were in the cabin. "I saw that big cruise ship coming closer to us but I never imagined it would ram our boat," said a 31-year-old South Korean surnamed Jeong. She was quoted by South Korea's Yonhap news agency. Jeong said she and others on the deck were thrown into the cold Danube waters by the impact of the collision. Police said it took only seven seconds for the boat to overturn and sink. She said she saw a lifeboat drifting near her and managed to get hold of it. She threw a rope to another South Korean tourist surnamed Yoon, who was near her. "Our boat was turned over in an instant and began sinking," Yoon, 32, told Yonhap. ...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Major Incidents International News Source Type: news