Otago Daily Times

Nine die in ferry capsize

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BOGOTA: A multistore­y tourist ferry packed with about 150 passengers capsized on a reservoir near the Colombian city of Medellin yesterday.

Nine people died and 28 were missing as a major rescue effort involving Colombia’s air force and firefighte­rs searched for survivors at the Guatape reservoir.

Dramatic videos on social media show the party boat El Almirante rocking back and forth as people crawled down from a fourthfloo­r roof as it began sinking.

A flotilla of recreation­al boats and jet skis rushed to the scene to pull people from the vessel and deliver them safely to the shore.

It is unclear what caused the boat to sink, but survivors told local media it appeared to be overloaded and none of the passengers on board were wearing life vests.

 ?? PHOTO: REUTERS ?? Going down . . . A ferry sinks in the Guatape reservoir near Medellin, Colombia, yesterday in this image taken from social media.
PHOTO: REUTERS Going down . . . A ferry sinks in the Guatape reservoir near Medellin, Colombia, yesterday in this image taken from social media.

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