At Least 11 Dead, 7 Missing after Brazilian Ferry Collides with Barge

By Aaron Poehler

Published on February 22, 2008

Ninety-two ferry passengers were rescued from the water in the wake of the crash, though the exact number of people aboard the ferry is unknown. Most of the survivors leapt into the water as the ferry Almirante Monteiro sank to the bottom of the Amazon following the crash, which occurred near the Brazilian town of Itacoatiara in the state of Amazonas. Many of the passengers had been asleep at the time of the shipwreck, either in hammocks on the boat's deck or in cabins within the two-story ferry. Officials said they believed many of the missing passengers were likely trapped within the boat as it sank.

So far, 11 bodies have been recovered, including four children; at least seven people remain to be located. Officials say they plan to continue the search, although the location of the wreck makes access to the area and communication between rescuers difficult.

No people aboard the freight barge were injured in the crash, and the boat itself was undamaged. The cause of the crash was not immediately known, though officials stated that visibility at the time of the accident was extremely poor due to the rare total lunar eclipse that occurred that night.

Comment on this article →