Tourist boat sinks in matter of minutes leaving dozens feared dead

This is the terrifying moment a tourist boat packed with up to 160 passengers sunk rapidly on a reservoir in Colombia leaving dozens feared dead.

At least six people have died and 31 are missing after the El Almirante ferry sank rapidly on Guatape reservoir near Medellin.

A rescue operation involving firefighters and air force helicopters was underway last night in a bid to find survivors.

The death toll could have been higher if it wasn’t for local boats and jet-skis coming to the rescue of people on the sinking ship by pulling them from the water.

The boat sank in a matter of minutes after a loud explosion was heard near the men’s toilets shortly after the boat began its cruise

Those on the first and second floors sank immediately,’ survivor Lorena Salazar told local media.

‘All we could do was scream and call for help… it was completely chaotic.’