Colombia: passenger ship with 170 tourists on board sank, causing the death of 9

World News Nilgun Salim
https://stocknewsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/colombia-tourist-boat-sinking-620x413.jpg

At least nine people have died and 31 are missing in Colombia after a passenger ship sank

The vessel, with 170 tourists on board, was performing recreational rides on a reservoir lake.

Witnesses say the ship was overcrowded and at one point, it started to swing and take water.

The other boats could not do anything to prevent the massive sinking, but instead, they rescue the passengers.

Authorities initiated an investigation to determine what caused the accident: a malfunction, overcrowding or the aggressive currents.

“So far, nine are officially dead and 28 are missing”, stated the head of the Antioquia Department of Disaster Management, Margarita Moncada.

“El Almirante”, a four-bay ship, sank on Sunday afternoon in El Penol Dam of Guatape, about 68 kilometers from Medellin.

In a video that became viral on social media, it can be seen how the ship sank within minutes.

The incident occurred around 14.00 (19.00 GMT) on the overcrowded lake.

A woman who survived the shipwreck reported the two lower decks were “overcrowded” and on board, there were ‘many children’.

“We began to feel how the ship is overturning’, told the witness.