Six killed after fishing boat, cargo ship collide in Los Ríos, Chile

Six fishermen were killed after their boat capsized following a collision with a cargo vessel in the Los Ríos region of southern Chile on Tuesday, March 24.

The incident occurred at around 21:00 local time when the fishing boat Victoria was struck by the cargo vessel Comau (pictured) in poor visibility in the waters of Bahia de Corral off the town of Niebla.

Responders from the Chilean Navy and some local fire departments later deployed to the area to rescue the crew of the fishing boat, which had ended up on its side and half-submerged in the bay. However, only one survivor had been pulled out of the water by the morning of Wednesday, March 25.

Local officials say the six other fishermen who were on Victoria had gotten trapped in the vessel’s galley and perished before they could be rescued.

The fishing boat has since been towed to Niebla with the bodies of the deceased fishermen still on board.

Meanwhile, the lone survivor has been brought to hospital and is currently undergoing treatment for hypothermia.