Search suspended for 6 people missing after charter boat sank off B.C. coast

Six people are still missing after a charter boat sank off the B.C. coast.

Search and rescue efforts to find six people who are missing after a charter boat sank off the B.C. coast Sunday morning have been suspended.

Authorities believe there were 10 people aboard the vessel when it began taking on water around 11:45 a.m. near Richmond, in the area of Roberts Bank.

Four people were rescued, but the others remain unaccounted for hours later.

In a statement, the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre said the incident was reported by someone on a civilian vessel, who said there were “several people in the water without personal flotation devices.”

A rescue operation was launched involving a Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft and lifeboat, two RCMP boats and two helicopters, and two additional aircraft—a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and a CC-295 Kingfisher—from 19 Wing Comox.

BC Ferries vessels and civilian boats also responded to the mayday.

The four people rescued were taken to the Sea Island Coast Guard Station and transported to hospital for treatment. Authorities have not shared any information on their conditions.

At 9:45 p.m., the JRCC called off the operation and handed response over to the RCMP, according to an update issued Monday morning.

It’s unclear what caused the charter boat to sink.

“The circumstance are under investigation,” the RCMP said in a news release.

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Kaija Jussinoja