9 dead, dozens missing after tourist boat sinks in Colombia

The El Almirante.
(Image credit: Juan Quiroz/AFP/Getty Images)

A tourist boat carrying around 150 people sank near Medellin, Colombia, on Sunday, killing at least nine people and leaving dozens more missing.

The accident took place at the Guatapé-El Peñol reservoir, a popular spot for vacations. Witnesses told El Tiempo newspaper that the boat, named the El Almirante, broke apart, and the captain ordered the passengers to all go on one side. Rescued passengers also said they were not provided with life vests, and the boat was loaded to its maximum capacity. Two Guatapé residents told Blu Radio that about three months ago, the boat sunk while it was tied to a dock, with one saying "they fixed it and it kept working normally."

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.