Fourteen people were killed on Saturday in a plane crash in the tourist city of Barcelos in the Brazilian Amazon region, according to authorities.
Amazonas State Security Minister Vinicius Almeida said during a press conference that the plane, an EMB-110 twin-engine turboprop, manufactured by Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, was unable to land in Barcelos due to heavy rain.
The plane ran off the runway after landing too far, killing all 12 passengers and two crew members. Mr. Almeida said there were no survivors.
The state government said in a press release that according to the first elements of the investigation, the passengers were all Brazilian men who were heading to the area to practice fishing.
“Our teams have been on the ground since the time of the incident to provide the necessary support,” Governor Wilson Lima wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He added: “My solidarity and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims.”
Pictures broadcast by Brazilian media showed the small white plane lying on its stomach on a dirt runway, its nose immersed in dense vegetation.
The plane had left Manaus, the state capital, towards Barcelos, a flight that took about 90 minutes. According to authorities, two other planes approached Barcelos at around the same time and returned to Manaus due to bad weather.
Authorities said the investigation was entrusted to the air force and police.
Barcelos is located on the Río Negro River, a tributary of the Amazon River, and is bordered by several national parks. This area is popular with sport fishermen who in this season can catch tropical river species such as toconari or “peacock bass”.
According to authorities, the bodies of the victims will be transported to the state capital on Sunday for identification. It was impossible to do this early as night take-offs and landings were not allowed in the area.
“An Air Force plane will leave Manaus tomorrow at around five in the morning with investigators and emergency service officials,” Almeida said. “We hope to be able to return the bodies to Manaus and immediately submit them for forensic examinations before handing them over to their families,” he added.
“Total coffee aficionado. Travel buff. Music ninja. Bacon nerd. Beeraholic.”
More Stories
United Kingdom | The first arrests of migrants before their expulsion to Rwanda
He swallows an entire bowl of cheese balls in front of hundreds of spectators
Democrats are ready to defend Mike Johnson against MTG