A boat carrying about 15 people, in the waters of the mighty San Juan River, capsized this Monday, December 9, when it was trying to cross the mighty Toro rapid, in Boca de Sábalo, municipal seat of the El Castillo municipality, in the department of San Juan River.
Information platforms from Rio San Juan have reported that the accident occurred precisely when the small boat, overloaded with people, tried to cross the rapid known as El Toro, one of the rapids with “most treacherous” currents in the entire course of the San Juan.
The boat was carrying 13 passengers and two as a crew, according to information circulating on social networks and they were supposedly going to the town “El Sarnoso” to carry out mining activities.
As the boat crossed the rapid, it was hit by the currents which caused it to capsize; The occupants fell into the water, being dragged downstream.
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Some boats that were sailing nearby pointed their bows towards the site of the accident, since the castaways were in danger of drowning because in that sector the currents are very strong.
In videos circulating on social networks you can see the desperation and anguish of people as they are carried away by the currents and some scream for help.
“We’re sinking here!” says one of the castaways just as a boat approaches to rescue them along with a teenager who is also seen in the video shot.
The images also show how other boats are quickly looking to intercept other people who were being dragged down the river at high speed. Until the closing of this note, it was unknown if all of them were rescued alive.
