Whale vessel sinks, 5 dead, 21 rescued

Five people died and one person was missing after a whale watching boat with 27 people on board sank off Vancouver Island on Sunday, Canadian authorities said.

The vessel made a mayday call late Sunday afternoon on what was a calm, clear and sunny day off the tourist community of Tofino, a popular destination for whale watchers on Canada's West Coast, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said.

Lieutenant Commander Desmond James, a spokesman for the rescue agency staffed by Canadian military and Coast Guard personnel, said late Sunday that the agency's search concluded with five people dead, 21 rescued and one person missing. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police will take over the search for the person who remains missing.