Rescue teams on the Danube River near Verőce, approximately 40 kilometers north of Budapest, continued their search into Sunday evening, contending with powerful currents and floating debris. Two deceased individuals have been located, while authorities confirmed that five people are still missing following a collision between a passenger vessel and another boat on the afternoon of May 19, 2024.
Hungarian water police are leading the coordinated response, deploying divers and patrol boats along a section of the river that serves both as a commercial transport route and a recreational area. Emergency services were dispatched after reports of the crash near the town of Verőce. Family members have assembled on the riverbank, awaiting updates as crews face challenging conditions.
The Danube, Europe’s second-longest waterway, stretches 2,850 kilometers from Germany’s Black Forest to the Black Sea, passing through or bordering ten nations. In Hungary, the river divides Budapest before curving northward past Verőce.
Historically a corridor for trade and travel, it once marked the frontier of the Roman Empire. Today, the waterway supports commercial shipping, cruise tourism, and local boating, a mix that can create hazards on congested stretches. Verőce is situated on the Danube Bend, a scenic area popular for boating and tourism. The river narrows in this region, and currents can become strong.
Debris in the water is further complicating search operations. Rescue teams have been scouring the waters, with efforts continuing into the evening.
No additional details regarding the identities of the deceased or the missing have been released by officials. The cause of the collision remains under investigation, with authorities examining visibility conditions and river traffic patterns as potential contributing factors. Local officials have urged boaters to exercise increased caution.
The missing individuals are believed to have been aboard one of the vessels involved in the incident. Collisions on the Danube are not frequent, but when they occur, they can prove deadly.
The river’s currents and traffic patterns are now under scrutiny as rescue crews work against time. Strong currents and debris present ongoing obstacles. Family members continue to wait.
The search remains active, and the investigation into what caused the crash is in its early stages. For now, the primary focus is on locating the missing individuals.
