A group of eight criminals robbed a luxury cruise ship at dawn on Thursday (July 14) while it was travelling along the Amazon River, near the Peruvian city of Iquitos, local media reported.
According to local media, there were 20 Americans, six Austrians, two New Zealanders and two Peruvians on board the cruise ship “Amazon Discovery” at the time of the robbery.
“The robbery took place at 3am in the morning on a boat known as the Amazon Discovery. It was robbed by eight suspected assailants who we know fled the boat,” said Chief Captain of Iquitos Port, Oscar Garrido.
None of the tourists were injured. Coast Guard officials escorted them to Iquitos to give their statements to the police regarding the crime.
“Thirty tourists. There was no damage to persons; it was just a robbery,” added Garrido.
Authorities are searching for the culprits, who are at large, in nearby towns and river lanes.
Local media reported a total of $20,000 dollars was stolen from the cruise passengers. The final amount has yet to be confirmed by authorities.
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016
