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Colombia boat sinking: Six killed and 16 missing Colombia boat sinking: Seven killed and two missing
(1 day later)
At least six people died when a passenger boat sank on a reservoir in north-western Colombia, officials say. Seven people have died after 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. They say that 158 people were rescued, but two 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.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.Leisure boats quickly came to the rescue, hauling victims from the water and the top deck of the vessel.
Some survivors complained that they had not been given life jackets.Some survivors complained that they had not been given life jackets.
Army helicopters and divers later joined the search-and-rescue operation.Army helicopters and divers later joined the search-and-rescue operation.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, who travelled to the scene on Sunday evening, said six people had been killed, revising down an initial death toll of nine given by officials. Eyewitness Louisa Murphy told the BBC: "We saw things flying off the side of the boat. And within, I think, probably about 20 seconds the boat had sort of sunk with just the top deck visible."
More than 20 people have been taken to a hospital in Guatapé. One of the survivors, Juliana Barragán, was celebrating her 15th birthday on board with her three aunts.
Eyewitness Louisa Murphy told the BBC: "We saw things flying off the side of the boat. And within, I think, probably about 20 second the boat had sort of sunk with just the top deck visible." Two of them are among the dead, and another remains missing.
Luis Bernardo Morales, a fire service captain involved in the rescue, said the boat was very close to the port when it sank. Her father Jorge Barragán, the victims' brother, told local reporters that Juliana was in shock.
"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. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, who travelled to the scene on Sunday evening, said the boat had capacity for the numbers on board, ruling out overcrowding as a reason for the accident.
Local residents said that the vessel had sunk twice before but had then been repaired before being used again. Local residents said that the vessel had sunk before - without people on board - but had then been repaired before being used again.
Representatives from the boat company - Asobarcos - said they will not give any immediate statements and that everything will be resolved by their lawyer, according to El Tiempo newspaper.
Guatapé is a popular Andean resort town, known for its water sports and recreational activities.Guatapé is a popular Andean resort town, known for its water sports and recreational activities.