Danube Boat Tragedy: One Dead, Nine Rescued After Vessel Capsizes Near Serbia-Croatia Border

Boat Capsizes on Danube, Sparking Rescue Efforts

A boat carrying ten Chinese nationals and one Serbian citizen capsized on the Danube River overnight on Sunday, October 5, 2025, near the Serbian town of Backa Palanka, approximately 90 kilometers (54 miles) northwest of Belgrade. The incident occurred close to the border between Serbia and Croatia, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation by authorities from both countries. Police received a call regarding the capsized vessel around 8:45 PM (18:45 GMT) on Sunday evening.

Casualties and Rescue Operations

Tragically, one Chinese national has been confirmed dead following the accident. Rescue teams from Serbia successfully pulled out four Chinese nationals from the water. Concurrently, Croatian teams located and rescued an additional five Chinese nationals, comprising three men and two women. In total, nine Chinese nationals have been rescued. The fate of the Serbian citizen, who was reportedly operating the boat, remains unclear, with reports indicating they are among the missing individuals.

Illegal Border Crossing Suspected

Local media in both Serbia and Croatia, along with official police statements, suggest that the group was attempting to illegally cross into Croatia, an European Union member state. The Serbian operator of the boat is believed to have been assisting in this unauthorized crossing. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of migration along the Balkan route, where individuals often attempt to reach wealthier EU countries by crossing from Serbia into neighboring nations like Croatia, Hungary, or Romania. Serbian police have initiated an investigation into suspected illegal border crossing and people trafficking in connection with the incident.

Ongoing Search and Investigation

Search efforts are continuing for any remaining missing individuals. The incident underscores the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross borders via perilous routes. Authorities from both Serbia and Croatia are collaborating on the investigation and rescue operations, aiming to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the boat's capsizing and to account for all individuals involved.