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Missing person presumed dead after disappearing in river near Port Louisa

A person is still missing after he was swimming with a group of people in the Mississippi River north of Port Louisa in Wapello

WAPELLO, Iowa — A person is still missing after he was swimming with a group of people in the Mississippi River north of Port Louisa in Wapello. Wapello Fire and Rescue says they were called around 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, after the person ventured too far from shore, disappeared under the water, and didn't resurface.

Authorities say the victim was not wearing a lifejacket or flotation device. A sonar search was conducted Friday evening but authorities say conflicting eye witness accounts and water depths over 30 feet in places have complicated the search efforts.

Wapello Fire and Rescue say the victim is presumed dead.

Search efforts continued at 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6.

Boaters should avoid the Port Louisa area as the search and rescue teams continue their efforts and are using the boat launch as a staging area.

The victim's name and age has not been released.

Crews from Grandview Fire, Wapello Fire and Wapello Ambulance performed an initial search of the riverbank. Search efforts on the water include crews from Wapello, Muscatine Search and Rescue, New Boston Fire Department and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

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