This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34634840
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 10 | Version 11 |
---|---|
Canada whale-watching: Leviathan II boat sinking kills five | Canada whale-watching: Leviathan II boat sinking kills five |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A whale-watching boat has sunk off the coast of British Columbia in western Canada, leaving at least five people dead. | A whale-watching boat has sunk off the coast of British Columbia in western Canada, leaving at least five people dead. |
The boat carrying 27 people sank near Tofino on Vancouver Island, the coastguard said. Sea conditions at the time were reported to be calm. | The boat carrying 27 people sank near Tofino on Vancouver Island, the coastguard said. Sea conditions at the time were reported to be calm. |
Emergency officials said 21 people had been rescued and one other person was still missing. | Emergency officials said 21 people had been rescued and one other person was still missing. |
The nationalities of the victims are not yet known. | The nationalities of the victims are not yet known. |
Melissa Kai, of the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Center in Victoria, British Columbia said the search-and-rescue efforts had "concluded", and the case of the missing person has been turned over to Royal Canadian Mounted Police. | Melissa Kai, of the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Center in Victoria, British Columbia said the search-and-rescue efforts had "concluded", and the case of the missing person has been turned over to Royal Canadian Mounted Police. |
The boat, Leviathan II, made a mayday call late on Sunday afternoon before sinking about 8 miles (12km) west of Tofino. | The boat, Leviathan II, made a mayday call late on Sunday afternoon before sinking about 8 miles (12km) west of Tofino. |
Within 30 minutes, a rescue helicopter and boat were on the scene. Other boats in the area were already attending the scene. | Within 30 minutes, a rescue helicopter and boat were on the scene. Other boats in the area were already attending the scene. |
The first rescue boats to arrive belonged to the nearby Ahousaht First Nation community, aboriginal councillor Tom Campbell said. | |
He said he saw the first survivors brought ashore. | He said he saw the first survivors brought ashore. |
"Their looks tell the whole story,'' he told the Associated Press (AP) news agency. "You can't describe looks on people that are lost. They look totally lost - shocked and lost.'' | "Their looks tell the whole story,'' he told the Associated Press (AP) news agency. "You can't describe looks on people that are lost. They look totally lost - shocked and lost.'' |
Valerie Wilson, of the Vancouver Island Health Authority, told the AP that the survivors had been admitted to Tofino General Hospital, and three of them had since been transferred elsewhere. | Valerie Wilson, of the Vancouver Island Health Authority, told the AP that the survivors had been admitted to Tofino General Hospital, and three of them had since been transferred elsewhere. |
Canadian broadcaster CBC said the boat appeared to have sunk some distance from the shore. | Canadian broadcaster CBC said the boat appeared to have sunk some distance from the shore. |
The 20m (65ft) boat was operated by Jamie's Whaling Station and Adventure Centres. | The 20m (65ft) boat was operated by Jamie's Whaling Station and Adventure Centres. |
Whale watching off British Columbia | Whale watching off British Columbia |
In a statement on the company's website, owner Jamie Bray said: "It has been a tragic day. Our entire team is heartbroken over this incident. | In a statement on the company's website, owner Jamie Bray said: "It has been a tragic day. Our entire team is heartbroken over this incident. |
"We are doing everything we can to assist our passengers and staff through this difficult time. We are co-operating with investigators to determine exactly what happened." | "We are doing everything we can to assist our passengers and staff through this difficult time. We are co-operating with investigators to determine exactly what happened." |
Tofino is a popular destination for tourists wanting to spot humpback and Pacific Gray whales, and trips usually last up to three hours. | Tofino is a popular destination for tourists wanting to spot humpback and Pacific Gray whales, and trips usually last up to three hours. |
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by any of the issues raised in this story? You can share your comments and experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by any of the issues raised in this story? You can share your comments and experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |