The boat sank for unknown reasons off Canada's Pacific coast near Vancouver Island, authorities said. (Reuters photo)
Five people have been confirmed dead and one missing after a whale-watching vessel carrying 27 sank off Canada's Pacific coast near Vancouver Island, the Coast Guard said Sunday.
A total of 21 people had been rescued, Lieutenant Commander Desmond James of the Coast Guard's rescue center in the provincial capital Victoria, told AFP, adding that the search had now been called off.
Meanwhile 18 victims were taken to hospital, many of them needing warming after being plucked from the ocean, according to CBC news.
The boat, Leviathan II, was some 12 kilometers (seven miles) off Tofino, a resort town on the western edge of Vancouver Island, when a distress call was received around 5 pm (0000 GMT) saying that the ship was sinking.
The 20-meter (65-foot) cruise vessel is owned by Jamie's Whaling Station and Adventure Centres of Tofino. It was reportedly out on one of its last tours of the season, which ends October 31.
For unknown reasons, the ship capsized in waters less than 10 meters (33 feet) deep, but its bow remained visible above water.
Several lifejackets and personal effects such as handbags and clothing could be seen floating nearby.
A number of boats converged at the site to help the Coast Guard with its search effort, including vessels from the Ahousat aboriginal community, with one taking eight people aboard, according to an account in the Vancouver Sun newspaper.
Response 'phenomenal'"The response here has been nothing short of phenomenal, the way that people are bringing out blankets and clothing and food, donating what they can and offering all of the services that they have," Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne told broadcaster CTV.
"Tofino's thoughts and prayers are with passengers, crew, emergency responders and their families. Thank you all for your messages of support," she wrote on Twitter.
An employee who answered the phone at Jamie's Whaling Station said the company was focused on the passengers and crew.
Canada's federal Transportation Safety Board (TSB) announced Sunday it was sending investigators.
Tofino is a popular surfing and whale watching town near the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Jamie's Whaling Station, one of the area's largest tourist boat outfitters, was hit by another deadly tragedy in 1998.
According to TSB records, two of the four people aboard a whale-watching ship, Ocean Thunder, died after a "large swell wave struck the boat from the port side."