A rescue helicopter with infrared detectors searches for the victims on Lake Maggiore (Italy).
Photo: Vigili del Fuoco/AP/dpa
By Joerg Völkerling
It was supposed to be a birthday party in front of a fantastic backdrop – and it ended in a deadly catastrophe!
Four people are on the Sunday evening after a pleasure boat capsized Lake Maggiore died in northern Italy. A dead passenger was recovered on Monday morning, according to the fire department, another 21 occupants were rescued after the ship capsized near the town of Lisanza at the southern end of the lake. Some inmates had to be taken to the hospital, nobody is in danger of death.
According to the President of the Region of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, the ship capsized because of a tornado. The 16 meter long boat had been rented by tourists, he said on Facebook. On board the boat were 23 tourists – from Germany and also Great Britain – and two crew members.
Search and rescue operations continued throughout the night, despite difficult weather conditions. Late Sunday evening, a La Spezia Coast Guard helicopter equipped with infrared detectors also arrived at the scene.
Several fire engines were on the spot with divers and personnel, examining the shore towards Lisanza, a district of Sesto Calende, from where the houseboat had set out for a birthday party.