At Least 4 Dead After Whale Watching Tour Boat Sinks Off British Columbia

At least four people died Sunday after a tour boat with 27 people on board sank off the coast of British Columbia, Canadian Co-ordination Centre in Victoria. The center said it received a mayday call from the boat at around 4 p.m. PT.

Acting Sub-Lieutenant Melissa Kai with the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in British Columbia told ABC that four people were recovered without vital signs while confirming there were survivors. The search continues for those unaccounted for.

Kai also added that the boat, the Leviathon II, is partially submerged, with the bow sticking out of the water.

An Island Health public information officer told ABC News that eight people are in Tofino Hospital: seven in stable condition, and one in serious but stable condition.

The exact number of people in hospitals is unknown, according to Jenn Hamilton, a spokesperson for British Columbia Ambulance Services, adding that five ambulance crews were sent altogether, and that off-duty paramedics helped at the scene as well.

CTV News reported that the ship belongs to Jamie's Whaling Station and Adventure Centres, which offers whale watching cruises.

Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Mounted Police vessels were searching the waters Sunday evening.