Six feared dead after salmon farming workboat sinks in Chile

The bodies of three crew have been recovered and a search is taking place for another three who are missing and presumed dead after a salmon farming support vessel sank in Chile in the early hours of Monday. Two other crew members were rescued after swimming to shore, according to TV news reports.

The sinking of the catamaran-type Koñimo 1 occurred in the Reloncaví Estuary, in Cochamó, Los Lagos region, Fish Farming Expert’s Chilean sister site, Salmonexpert.cl, reports.

After receiving an alert, the Maritime Authority immediately launched a search and rescue operation in the area, which led to rescuers finding the two survivors and confirming that six crew members were missing.

Three still missing

The bodies of three of the missing crew have been recovered, without the identity of the victims being known at this time.

Yesterday, rescue and recovery work was being carried out in the area with personnel from the Maritime Governorate of Puerto Montt, the Port Captaincies of Puerto Montt and Cochamó, divers from a salvage team and with the participation of volunteers from lifeboats. An aircraft from the Puerto Montt Naval Air Group was also involved.

Diving operations were due to resume at first light today, with the goal of locating the remaining crew members, and a search will continue in the hope of finding survivors.