A team of rescue workers are also looking for the 28 people who are missing.

The three-floor ship El Almirante was carrying 170 people when the accident took place.

Rescue coordinator Margarita Maria Moncada told local daily El Colombiano: "We officially have nine people who were found dead, and 99 people who were good from the beginning and immediately rescued. Another 40 people left [the ship] by themselves and are fortunately okay. And there are 28 people who are reported missing."

Following the incident, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos visited the scene and offered his condolences to the bereaved families.

The Guatape Mayor's office has declared three days of mourning.

Image: Viceministerio de Turismo de Colombia