The Colombian Navy rescued 13 people, including a minor, who had been abandoned, since the boat named Expresso Doña Ara in which they were traveling, was stolen by criminals in the village Bazán Bocana in the Special District of Buenaventura.
The search and rescue operation began, after the Buenaventura Police Headquarters reported to the Pacific Coast Guard emergency line the alleged theft of a boat, which was transporting, with the proper corresponding permits, passengers, groceries and provisions to the people of López de Micay, in the department of Cauca, so Rapid Reaction Units were immediately sent – URR - of the Coast Guard Station of Buenaventura, to the La Playita sector, in the bay of Buenaventura, to start the search and rescue operation.
According to reports, the armed individuals, suspected members of common criminal groups, allegedly boarded the vessel illegally, threatening the crew members and robbing them. In the same way, after four hours of intense search efforts, it was possible to find the people, providing them with primary care and later transferring them to a safe harbor.
Source: Press – Navy of Colombia
