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Nine killed as Colombia boat sinks | |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least nine people died when a passenger boat sank on a reservoir in north-western Colombia, police say. | |
About 28 people are missing after the four-deck Almirante vessel went down near the tourist town of Guatapé, 45km (28 miles) east of Medellín on Sunday. | |
There were about 150 people aboard. The boat sank in less than five minutes, eyewitness Juan Quiroz told the BBC. | |
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. |
Army helicopters and divers have been sent to the scene. | |
"The situation looks serious," a local government official told AFP news agency. | "The situation looks serious," a local government official told AFP news agency. |
More than 20 people were taken to a hospital in Guatapé. | More than 20 people were taken to a hospital in Guatapé. |
Luis Bernardo Morales, a fire service captain involved in the rescue operation, said the boat was very close to the port when it sank. | Luis Bernardo Morales, a fire service captain involved in the rescue operation, 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 quoted him as saying. | "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 quoted him as saying. |
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. |