Medellin, Colombia
Medellin, ColombiaiStock

Nine people died and 28 are missing after a tourist boat with about 150 people on board capsized near Medellin, Colombia, on Sunday night.

A rescue operation is under underway in the Guatape reservoir. Medellin's mayor said firefighters and scuba divers were heading to the town, reported The Associated Press.

The country’s air force launched a rescue operation in the Guatapé region, which incorporates the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir, according to The Guardian.

Medellin’s mayor said firefighters and scuba divers were heading to the town. Videos circulating on social media showed a multi-storey ferry sinking as other recreational vehicles rushed to the distressed boat.

The Colombian air force said helicopters had been dispatched and were ready to evacuate the most seriously injured people. Soon afterwards, it posted an image of rescue vessels on the scene.

The reservoir surrounding the soaring rocky outcrop of El Peñol is a popular weekend destination located a little more than an hour from Medellin. It was especially busy on Sunday as Colombians celebrated a long holiday weekend, noted The Guardian.