Guyana: Nine missing after boats collide on river

(AP) — Nine people are missing and feared dead after two passenger boats crowded with miners and farmers collided on a river in this South American country.

Police say more than a dozen people were pitched into the swirling waters of the Mazaruni River, when the boats slammed into each other about 25 miles upstream from the southwestern mining town of Bartica.

Authorities say several people were rescued from the river by passing speedboats, but they are still searching for nine others.

The vessels were traveling in opposite directions when the accident occurred yesterday afternoon.

Miners, farmers, loggers and police often travel on the Mazaruni, which has deep pools and strong currents.

Last month, six people died on a western river near Guyana's border with Venezuela when two river boats collided.

Like our new Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/gleanerjamaica

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/JamaicaGleaner

radio@gleanerjm.com