BUDAPEST — 2019 · Major Tragedy

The Hableány Tour Boat Disaster

ClosedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

At 9:05 p.m. on 29 May 2019, beneath Margaret Bridge on the Danube in Budapest, a 135-metre river cruise ship struck the small tour boat Hableány from behind. The boat, which sank within seven seconds in heavy rain, was carrying 33 South Korean tourists and two Hungarian crew. Only seven people were rescued; 27 bodies were recovered and one person remained missing. In September 2023 a Budapest court found the cruise ship's captain guilty of gross negligence and sentenced him to prison, while acquitting him of failing to render aid; both defence and prosecution appealed. The disaster prompted debate on safety amid heavy river traffic on the Danube.

Date: 2019
Place: Margaret Bridge, Hungary, Budapest, HU
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Closed
Coordinates: 47.5150, 19.0470 ↗

Timeline of Events

29 May 2019, 9:05 p.m.Hableány sank after a collision beneath Margaret Bridge.
11 June 2019The boat was lifted from the river.

October 2019The death toll reached 27; one person remained missing.
September 2023The captain was sentenced for gross negligence; the verdict was appealed.

Sources

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