HABLEANY

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4,6 million Euro compensation for families affected by tragedy in 2019

The municipal court of Budapest has made a landmark decision, mandating a combined compensation of 1.8 billion forints (approximately EUR 4.6 million) to the families affected by the collision of the Viking Sigyn' and the 'Hableany' on the River Danube on May 29, 2019. The ruling benefits 78 family members of the 27 victims. Following the tragedy, legal battles ensued, putting the spotlight on the responsibilities of the Viking River Cruises AG and Panoráma Deck Kft as operator of the 'Hableany'. After years of investigations and court hearings, the Budapest municipal court's decision to award substantial compensation marked a significant milestone for the victims' families, emphasizing the accountability of the operators involved and also setting a precedent for the handling of similar incidents in the future. The court has provided a 15-day window for the involved parties to appeal against the decision, a critical period that could potentially alter the course of the compensation process.

Commemorations for desaster on the Danube

Commemorations began on May 29, 2020, in Hungary for the first anniversary of the accident of the 'Hableany' on the Danube River in which over two dozen South Korean tourists died after their tour boat collided with the river cruise ship 'Viking Sigyn'. At least 25 out of 33 South Korean tourists died when the vessel capsized and sank on the night of May 29, 2019. The boat’s two-man Hungarian crew also died, while a female South Korean tourist is still missing. In a ceremony organized by the operators of the 'Hableany', a wreath was lowered into the water from a boat near the site of the catastrophe, close to the Hungarian parliament in Budapest. Later, an official memorial with the participation of authorities from Hungary and South Koreawas held on the banks of the Danube, by the foot of the Margit Bridge, where the Hableany was hit from behind and practically pushed underwater in a few seconds by the 'Viking Sigyn' the captain of which is on trial for his alleged responsibility in the crash, but court sessions have been postponed until at least September because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Investigation: Captain of Viking Sigyn not responsible for collision

A police investigation has concluded that the captain of the river cruise ship 'Viking Sigyn' was not responsible for a collision with the 'Hableany' that killed 28 people in Budapest in May. The captain of the sunk vessel was himself one of the victims of the accident. The Budapest Police told that the probe involves 11,000 pages of documentation and more than 4,200 photos. The Ukrainian master of the 'Viking Sigyn' was under pre-trial arrest until at least Nov 30.