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| Five Britons dead after Canadian whale-watching boat sinks | Five Britons dead after Canadian whale-watching boat sinks |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Five Britons were killed when a whale-watching boat sank off the coast of western Canada, the UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said. | |
| The boat carrying 27 people sank near Tofino, a popular tourist area on Vancouver Island, on Sunday afternoon. | |
| Officials said 21 people had been rescued and one was still missing. | |
| The cause of the accident remains unknown and investigations are ongoing, but sea conditions at the time of the incident were reported to be calm. | |
| The boat, Leviathan II, made a mayday call before sinking about 8 miles (12km) west of Tofino. | |
| 'Terrible accident' | |
| Mr Hammond said: "It is with deep sadness that I can confirm five British nationals have lost their lives when the whale watching boat they were on sank off Western Canada on Sunday. | Mr Hammond said: "It is with deep sadness that I can confirm five British nationals have lost their lives when the whale watching boat they were on sank off Western Canada on Sunday. |
| "My thoughts are with the family and friends of all those affected by this terrible accident." | "My thoughts are with the family and friends of all those affected by this terrible accident." |
| He said consular staff in British Columbia were supporting the family members of those who had died and were in close contact with the Canadian authorities. | He said consular staff in British Columbia were supporting the family members of those who had died and were in close contact with the Canadian authorities. |
| Within 30 minutes of the mayday call, a rescue helicopter and boat were on the scene. Other boats in the area also responded to the call for help. | Within 30 minutes of the mayday call, a rescue helicopter and boat were on the scene. Other boats in the area also responded to the call for help. |
| Tofino fishing guide Lance Desilets said at least 12 rescue boats were already out on the water when he arrived on the scene. | Tofino fishing guide Lance Desilets said at least 12 rescue boats were already out on the water when he arrived on the scene. |
| "I saw a lot of personal belongings, a long diesel slick and the top 10 feet of the Leviathan II sticking out of the water," he said. "It's a sad day for our community." | "I saw a lot of personal belongings, a long diesel slick and the top 10 feet of the Leviathan II sticking out of the water," he said. "It's a sad day for our community." |
| 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 had 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 had been turned over to Royal Canadian Mounted Police. |
| 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. |
| 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." |
| Another whale-watching boat operated by the same company capsized in 1998, killing two people, including the boat operator and a tourist from Germany. | |
| The six-metre vessel was on a three-hour trip in the area of Plover Reef when it was hit by a large swell, throwing four people into the water. | |
| 'Thoughts and prayers' | |
| 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. |
| Canadian Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau thanked all those who participated in the rescue effort and offered his condolences to the victims and their families. | Canadian Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau thanked all those who participated in the rescue effort and offered his condolences to the victims and their families. |
| "I know firsthand of this coastal area's natural beauty and the many people who visit here from all around the world," said Mr Trudeau, who won Canada's national elections last week. | "I know firsthand of this coastal area's natural beauty and the many people who visit here from all around the world," said Mr Trudeau, who won Canada's national elections last week. |
| "My thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, the crew, and their families at this most difficult time. We will continue to offer them support in the days ahead." | "My thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, the crew, and their families at this most difficult time. We will continue to offer them support in the days ahead." |
| Whale watching off British Columbia | Whale watching off British Columbia |