Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó called the cooperation between the Hungarian and South Korean rescue teams working to raise the tourist boat that sank in the Danube exemplary in a statement to Hungarian news agency MTI on Friday.

On the sidelines of the GLOBSEC security policy forum in Bratislava, Mr. Szijjártó once again met with his South Korean counterpart, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, whom he informed with relation to the state of the search and rescue operations.

“Preparations for the raising of the boat wreck are in process and the rescue teams are working together in an exemplary fashion”, he stated. The Minister assured his negotiating partner that a thorough and comprehensive investigation is being performed in the interests of uncovering all of the details concerning the tragedy and bringing those responsible to justice.

The South Korean Foreign Minister expressed her thanks for the search and rescue efforts and assured everyone who has taken part and continues to take part in the operation of her utmost appreciation.

The Hableány (Mermaid) tourist boat sank on 29 May near Margaret Bridge in Budapest after colliding with the hotel ship Viking Sygin. 35 people were aboard the boat: 33 South Korean citizens and a Hungarian crew of two. Seven people survived the tragedy, and the search is still on for nine missing people.

(MTI)