At Least 6 Dead, 16 Still Missing After Boat Sinks in Colombia

At least six people died and 16 people were reportedly injured after the four-floor boat "El Almirante" sunk around 2 p.m. Sunday in the Peñol-Guatape reservoir area located in the eastern department of Antioquia in northwest Colombia, according to local authorities.

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Among the 150 people aboard, 119 have been rescued by surrounding boats, reported El Espectador, while among the 25 injured, 13 were still under observation.

“The (rescue) operation is ongoing,” said Antioquia's secretary of government Victoria Eugenia Ramirez. “According to the company, there were 150 people on board ... The boat did not hit another one but sank on its own.”

Colombia's Air Force was deployed to the area, which is about 50 miles from the city of Medellin, in a bid to locate the victims.

The cause of the shipwreck of the boat that left Sunday morning is unknown. However, survivors have affirmed that the boat lacked life jackets.

A local storekeeper, Marilyn Usme, told local media that the same ship sunk about three months ago on the dock, and was sent back to the sea after repairs.

The reservoir area, near the tourist town of Guatape, is a popular weekend destination which was particularly busy Sunday due to a long holiday weekend.