Tourists missing after Colombia boat sinks

A MAJOR rescue operation was under way in north-western Colombia last night after a boat carrying about 150 tourists sank in a reservoir.

The head of Colombia’s police said at least nine people had died and about 28 were missing.

Police commander Jorge Nieto told Blu Radio that authorities were still in the process of identifying the victims and the nationalities of those on board were not yet known.

The air force sent a helicopter to the Guatape reservoir near Medellin, the country’s second biggest city, while the local mayor said firefighters and scuba divers were heading to the town.

Dramatic videos circulating on social media showed the four-deck ship called Almirante going down.

President Juan Manuel Santos, tweeted: “Faced with emergency in Guatape the air force and relief agencies are taking care of the situation.”

It was not known what caused the accident. Survivors told local media that the boat appeared to be overloaded and none of the passengers were wearing life vests.

The reservoir is one of the top tourist draws in the country.

The area was especially busy yesterday as Colombians were celebrating a long holiday weekend.