A boat sank early on Thursday morning close to Belem, the capital of Brazil’s northern Para state, leaving at least 26 people missing and at least 14 dead, according to government sources.
When it sank close to Saudade Beach on the island of Cotijuba, the boat was en route from Belem to Camara, on the island of Marajo.
It is still unknown what caused the accident.
The boat headed out from a clandestine port and was not allowed to transport passengers, according to the Public Security Secretariat (Segup).
In order to recover the dead and find the unaccounted-for casualties, firefighters launched a search and rescue operation with the aid of divers, nine boats, and a helicopter.
According to Para state Governor Helder Barbalho, the owner of the boat had just had another vessel suspended for operating without permission. Despite this, he continued to use this one.
“This was a clandestine vessel. The owner had been notified three times by regulators and the navy for operating another boat without a license. That vessel’s operations were suspended, but he got hold of another one and continued operating, and this tragedy happened,” he said.
“We have been mobilized since we got the news, working to find those who haven’t been located yet,” he added.
