Home World News Colombia boat sinking: Six killed and 16 missing

Colombia boat sinking: Six killed and 16 missing

118
0

At least six people died when a passenger boat sank on a reservoir in north-western Colombia, officials say.

They say that 133 people were rescued, but 16 are still missing after the four-deck Almirante went down near the popular resort town of Guatapé.

There were about 170 people on board. Witness Juan Quiroz told the BBC the boat sank in less than five minutes.

Leisure boats quickly came to the rescue, hauling victims from the water and the top deck of the vessel.

 
Luis Bernardo Morales, a fire service captain involved in the rescue, said the boat was very close to the port when it sank.

“We do not know whether it was a mechanical failure, an overloading or something to do with the currents that caused it to sink,” AFP news agency quoted him as saying.

Local residents said that the vessel had sunk twice before but had then been repaired before being used again.

Guatapé is a popular Andean resort town, known for its water sports and recreational activities.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here