The incident occurs in the context of the visa-free regime between Serbia and China, allowing Chinese citizens to stay or transit for up to 30 days since 2017.

Rescue efforts are ongoing as some individuals are still missing following the boat accident, which happened during the night.

Specialized water rescue units from both Serbia and Croatia have been deployed to assist with the ongoing rescue and investigation efforts.

Search and rescue operations are continuing as authorities work together to locate more victims and ensure safety in the Danube area.

The accident took place near Backa Palanka, a town in Serbia, approximately 90 km northwest of Belgrade, on Sunday evening.

Authorities have not issued an official statement, but reports suggest the group was attempting to cross the Balkan migration route toward EU countries, possibly involved in illegal smuggling.

A Chinese migrant drowned when a boat capsized during an illegal border crossing from Serbia into Croatia across the Danube River, with rescue efforts ongoing.

Serbian police rescued four Chinese citizens and found one body near Backo Novo Selo, while Croatian authorities rescued five people and continue searching for additional victims.

The incident is part of the broader Balkan migration route used by migrants aiming to reach Western Europe from Serbia.

The boat overturn occurred overnight between the Serbian town of Plavna and the Croatian town of Sotin, near Backa Palanka, about 90 kilometers northwest of Belgrade.

Some individuals remain unaccounted for, and Serbian authorities have yet to release an official statement about the incident.

Serbian authorities suspect the boat was involved in illegal smuggling, with the vessel steered by a Serbian citizen whose current whereabouts are unknown.

There has been a recent increase in Chinese emigrants in Central and Eastern Europe, likely linked to China's investments in infrastructure and development projects in the region, which may relate to the presence of Chinese nationals in this incident.