Shipwreck in the Brazilian Amazon leaves two dead and seven missing

Published at: 15/02/2026 02:17 PM

The sinking of a passenger boat at the confluence of the Negro and Solimões rivers, in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, caused the death of two people and the disappearance of seven others.

Emergency services rescued 71 occupants after the accident that occurred in the area known as Encontro das Águas.

The incident involved the Lima de Abreu XV speedboat, which was transporting 80 people from Manaus to the municipality of Nova Olinda do Norte.

According to reports from the Amazonas Military Fire Department, the ship capsized shortly after setting sail due to strong waves in the region. Among the confirmed fatalities are a 22-year-old woman and a girl under three years old.

Witnesses to the event indicated that the entry of water through the bow, after the impact of successive waves, caused the imbalance and subsequent overturning of the structure.

Brazilian Navy, Civil Defense and specialized divers maintain the search deployment through the use of helicopters and surface boats, although currents and low visibility hinder operations, RT reported.

The Civil Police pre-emptively arrested the driver of the boat to begin investigations for alleged wrongful death. The pilot was released after paying a bond, while authorities are evaluating whether the unit complied with safety regulations and authorized cargo weighing for river transport on this route.

Mazo News Team