South Korean divers begin test dives to recover missing in Hungary boat accident

South Korean divers have begun test dives around the wreck of a tourist boat in which at least seven people died last week.

Another 19 Koreans and two Hungarians are missing and presumed dead following the collision of The Mermaid tourist boat and a larger cruise liner in heavy rain on Wednesday in the worst accident on the river in over half a century.

The divers were attempting to find a way to the wreck where many of the 21 people still listed as missing from the accident- the worst river tragedy in Hungary in more than half a century- were thought to have been pinned.

A flood has prevented Hungarian divers from reaching the wreck or recovering other bodies, prompting South Korea to send its own recovery team which took over the operation on Monday with help from Hungarian personnel.

Seven Koreans were rescued alive and seven bodies were recovered on the night of the disaster.

A further 21 people - 19 Koreans and two Hungarians - are missing and presumed dead.