It was a deadly day for Colombia Tourism. Dramatic videos circulating on social media show a multi-story ferry rocking back and forth as people crawled down from a third-floor roof as the ship began sinking.
“Those on the first and second floors sank immediately,” a female survivor who was not identified by name told local TV station Teleantioquia.
“The boat was sinking and all we could do was scream and call for help.”
Margarita Moncada, the head of the disaster response agency in Antioquia state, said that according to a preliminary report 99 people were rescued and another 40 managed to find a way to shore on their own and were in good condition.
Speaking to reporters from the reservoir, she said nine people had been killed and about 28 were still missing.
It is unclear what caused the boat to sink, but survivors said that it appeared to be overloaded and nobody on board was wearing a life vest.
Survivors told local media that the boat, called El Almirante, appeared to be overloaded and none of the passengers on board were wearing life vests.
Dramatic videos circulating on social media show a multi-story ferry rocking back and forth as people crawled down from a third-floor roof as the ship began sinking.
“Those on the first and second floors sank immediately,” a female survivor who was not identified by name told local TV station Teleantioquia.
“The boat was sinking and all we could do was scream and call for help.”
Margarita Moncada, the head of the disaster response agency in Antioquia state, said that according to a preliminary report 99 people were rescued and another 40 managed to find a way to shore on their own and were in good condition.
Speaking to reporters from the reservoir, she said nine people had been killed and about 28 were still missing.
It is unclear what caused the boat to sink, but survivors said that it appeared to be overloaded and nobody on board was wearing a life vest.
Survivors told local media that the boat, called El Almirante, appeared to be overloaded and none of the passengers on board were wearing life vests.
Authorities were at a loss to say exactly how many people were on the boat and asked passengers or their loved ones to report to a rescue centre hastily set up along the shore.
They also made a call for scuba divers to assist with the search.
The reservoir surrounding the soaring rocky outcrop of El Penol is a popular weekend destination a little more than an hour from Medellin.
It was especially busy on Sunday as Colombians celebrated a long holiday weekend.
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- Margarita Moncada, the head of the disaster response agency in Antioquia state, said that according to a preliminary report 99 people were rescued and another 40 managed to find a way to shore on their own and were in good condition.
- Margarita Moncada, the head of the disaster response agency in Antioquia state, said that according to a preliminary report 99 people were rescued and another 40 managed to find a way to shore on their own and were in good condition.
- Authorities were at a loss to say exactly how many people were on the boat and asked passengers or their loved ones to report to a rescue centre hastily set up along the shore.
