At least six people are dead and more than 20 missing in a shipwreck near the river island of Marajo, in the Brazilian Amazonian state of Para, local authorities said Friday. The Governor's Office in Para said the accident happened late Thursday, when the boat named Leao do Norte sank in the Arari river.
"Based on the information we have obtained, the boat was taking a turn and the captain missed the timing for the manoeuvre and the boat went under," said Sergeant Orivaldo, of the Para Fire Department. Rescue efforts were launched in the early hours of Friday, and six bodies, including that of a child, had been retrieved by the morning. Forty-four people were rescued from the water alive, and nine were taken to hospital.