(Photo/CGTN)

The number of people killed in the Colombia boat sinking has risen to nine and 28 are still missing, reports local media RCN Radio.

So far five bodies have been found and 99 people were immediately rescued. Another 40 people were able to bring themselves to safety, according to Margarita María Moncada Zapata, director in charge of the Administrative Department of Prevention, Attention and Disaster Recovery (DAPARD).

Moncada Zapata stressed that 28 are still missing, according to reports given by friends and family members.

She added that there were likely to have been 170 people on board the boat, named "The Admiral".

24 people have been sent to hospital, and 13 of them remain under observation.

Relief agencies are still conducting a rescue operation with the support of the Air Force, Army, Police and local authorities, and relatives and people close to the missing have arrived at the scene.