The boat sank near Tofino on Vancouver Island in the west of the country, coastguard and rescue officials said. It is being reported that there were 27 people on board. Ambulance officials quoted by Canadian media said at least five people had died.
Barb McLintock, a spokeswoman for the British Columbia coroner, told AP there were "multiple" deaths. She added that authorities did not yet have a firm number of casualties as the incident was ongoing. The Canadian broadcaster CBC said the boat appeared to have sank some distance from the shore.
Canadian media said the boat was operated by Jamie's Whaling Station and Adventure Centers. The company's website said its whale watching tours were finishing for the season on 31 October, and that it had been operating for 30 years. Reports said seas near Tofino were calm and the weather sunny when the boat sank.
Tofino is a popular destination for tourists wanting to spot humpback and Pacific Gray whales, and trips usually last up to three hours.
Source: BBC
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