B.C. Premier Christy Clark has offered sympathy for those who died in a whale-watching accident that occurred off the west coast of Vancouver Island last Sunday (October 25).

“Yesterday, a whale-watching vessel carrying 27 passengers and crew members capsized near Tofino,” she said quoted in an October 26 media release. “Canada Coast Guard, the RCMP and WestCoast Inland Search and Rescue responded quickly – but tragically, five lives were lost. The RCMP continues to search for one other missing individual.

“My thoughts and my prayers and those of all British Columbians go out to the families and the loved ones of those that were lost or injured.”

The release goes on to discuss rescue and recovery efforts.

“Emergency Management BC has been in close contact with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre as it led efforts to ensure all available resources were available for the search and rescue, the survivors and responding communities,” Clark said quoted there.

“I understand there was tremendous co-operation amongst all the communities, agencies, emergency personnel and the Ahousaht First Nation, who worked together to respond.

“My thanks to all those involved in the rescue and the response and for their efforts during this tragic incident.”

https://twitter.com/christyclarkbc/status/658690136495030272

Authorities have identified the whale-watching vessel as the MV Leviathan II, which was owned and operated by a Tofino-based company named Jamie’s Whale Watching. It sank off the west coast of Vancouver Island near Plover Reefs on Sunday, October 25, at approximately 4 p.m.

There were 27 people on board. Five have since been confirmed dead. All five were British nationals. The B.C. Coroner’s Service has confirmed one of the deceased resided in B.C. while one lived in Ontario and three were tourists. Their names have not yet been released. The B.C. resident was a woman while the other four were men. Their ages ranged from 18 to 76 years.

A statement attributed to U.K. foreign secretary Philip Hammond states the British government are making services available to people affected by the accident in B.C.

“It is with deep sadness that I can confirm five British nationals have lost their lives when the whale watching boat they were on sank off Western Canada on Sunday,” it reads.

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of all those affected by this terrible accident. Consular staff in British Columbia are supporting the family members of those who have died and we will remain in close contact with Canadian authorities as further information becomes available.”

https://twitter.com/PHammondMP/status/658637698723401728

Exactly what caused the boat to capsize remains unknown. Media reports have described the weather at the time and location of the accident as moderately choppy but not especially stormy.

Jamie’s Whale Watching posted a statement about the accident on its website.

“It has been a tragic day,” it reads. “Our entire team is heartbroken over this incident and our hearts go out to the families, friends and loved ones of everyone involved. We are doing everything we can to assist our passengers and staff through this difficult time.

“We are cooperating with investigators to determine exactly what happened. In the meantime, we want to extend our most sincere thank you to the first responders, rescue personnel, and everyone from Tofino and the local First Nations communities who assisted with the response efforts.”

It’s stated there that new information will be posted online as it becomes available.