Six missing after charter boat sinks in Canada

Emergency crews are searching for six people who remain missing after a charter boat sank off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, on the morning of June 28.

Authorities believe 10 people were aboard the vessel when it started taking on water at around 11:45 a.m. near Roberts Bank, close to Richmond, Caliber.Az reports, citing Canadian media.

Four occupants were rescued, while six others were still unaccounted for several hours after the incident.

In a statement, the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre said the distress call came from a nearby civilian vessel, reporting that there were "several people in the water without personal flotation devices."

A large-scale rescue operation was launched, involving a Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft and lifeboat, two RCMP vessels, two helicopters, and additional air support from a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and a CC-295 Kingfisher aircraft based at 19 Wing Comox.

The four survivors were taken to the Sea Island Coast Guard Station before being transported to the hospital for treatment. Officials have not released details about their medical conditions.

According to the B.C. RCMP, the search for the remaining six people was still ongoing as of 7:45 p.m.

The cause of the sinking has not yet been determined.

"The circumstance are under investigation," the RCMP said in a news release.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov