Six killed as Colombian tourist boat sinks

At least six people have died and dozens more are missing after a tourist boat sank in a reservoir near Medellin in north-west Colombia.

The El Almirante, which was carrying more than 170 people, got into trouble in the Guatape-El Penol reservoir, a popular tourist resort.

"We saw things flying off the side of the boat," witness Louisa Murphy told the BBC. "Within, I think, probably about 20 seconds the boat had sort of sunk with just the top deck visible."

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Footage of the vessel shows passengers struggling to reach the top deck as nearby boats race to pull survivors from the water.

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"Survivors described hearing a loud explosion near the men's bathroom that knocked out power a few minutes after the boat began its cruise around the giant lake. As water flooded on board, pressure built and people were sucked under by the sinking ship," ABC News reports.

Luis Bernardo Morales, a fire service captain, said it was not yet clear whether mechanical failure, overloading or adverse currents caused the boat to sink.

"Survivors told local media that the boat appeared to be overloaded and none of the passengers on board were wearing life vests," the Daily Telegraph reports.

Colombian news outlet Blu Radio says the El Almirante had been involved in a similar accident three months ago, when it sank while tied up at the wharf with no passengers on board.

Colombian rescue workers and scuba divers are continuing the search.