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-latin-america-40401146
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Colombia boat sinking: Six killed and 16 missing | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least six people died when a passenger boat sank on a reservoir in north-western Colombia, officials say. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| More than 20 people have been taken to a hospital in Guatapé. | More than 20 people have been taken to a hospital in Guatapé. |
| 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." | 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." |
| Luis Bernardo Morales, a fire service captain involved in the rescue, said the boat was very close to the port when it sank. | 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. | "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. |
| 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. |