17 dead as tourist boat sinks in US lake

21 July 2018: A tourist boat capsized and sank in a sudden storm on a lake in Missouri, leaving 17 dead, including some children, authorities said Friday after divers recovered the bodies of the last people who were missing.

The accident occurred Thursday night in full view of witnesses, at least one of whom captured video of the small boat bobbing in rough waters on Table Rock Lake near the city of Branson, a popular holiday destination.

Police said 31 people were aboard the amphibious vessel, known as a duck boat for its wheels that allow it to ride on land and float low on the water.

The boat was seen struggling to reach shore against strong winds, before succumbing to the waves and beginning to sink.

The 17 people who died ranged in age from one to 70 years of age, and included the boat's driver, according to the Stone County Sheriff's office.

Cox Medical Center Branson said six people were hospitalized.

- Sudden storm -

The accident was caused by heavy winds as a storm moved over the man-made lake in southern Missouri. The duck boat was one of two in the water at the time. The other safely reached shore.

People on a nearby larger vessel, known as the Branson Belle, jumped into the water to rescue victims, Sheriff Doug Rader said.

"(Rescuers) got there quickly," eyewitness Curt Elleman told MSNBC.

"The first rescuing was private boats... and they began pulling people out immediately," he said.

The death toll quickly climbed as divers headed back in the water Friday morning to search for four people that had yet to be found.

Divers located the boat in 80 feet (25 meters) of water, landed on its wheels.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sent a team to investigate, as the sheriff urged witnesses to submit any additional video of the accident.

"My office has talked with NTSB," tweeted US Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri.

"They've got a large team heading out to Branson... and will have investigators there for a couple of weeks," she said.

- Investigation -

Among the unanswered questions were whether the boat crew was aware of weather warnings, and whether passengers were wearing life vests.

"From what I understand, there was life jackets in the duck (boat)," said Rader.

Rick Kettels, who owns the Lakeside Resort, said the storm formed suddenly at around 6:15 pm local time.

"It just came up real quick," he told AFP. "I've been here most of my life and I never saw a storm this bad."

Missouri meteorologist Steve Lindenberg told AFP a string of severe thunderstorms had barreled through the area.

Winds reached 74 miles (119 kilometers) per hour and a weather warning was issued at approximately 6:30 pm.

The first emergency call about the boat was placed approximately 30 minutes later.

- 'Deepest sympathies' -

Branson, Missouri, is a vacation destination popular for its theaters and country music, including singer Dolly Parton's Civil War-themed attraction.

As the southern region near the Arkansas border struggled to come to grips with the tragedy, the White House offered condolences.

"President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump extend their deepest sympathies to all those affected," press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

"Our prayers are with the victims and their loved ones. We are thankful for the brave first responders and dive crews, whose quick and decisive actions have saved many lives," she added.

The company Ripley Entertainment owns the capsized boat, having added the "Ride the Ducks" attraction to its roster last year as a seasonal tour through the area's famed Ozarks region.

The storm system that hit Missouri also struck much of the Midwest late Thursday, according to meteorologists.

Several tornadoes tore through Iowa to the north, causing injuries as well as damage to a number of buildings.

No fatalities were reported.