Fourteen dead in plane crash in Brazil’s Amazonas state
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The accident took place in the Barcelos province, some 400km from the Amazonas state capital, Manaus.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SAO PAULO - Fourteen people were killed on Saturday when a plane crashed in the Brazilian Amazon while trying to land in stormy weather in the tourist town of Barcelos, leaving no survivors, officials said.
The pilot of the small plane was approaching the remote town in heavy rain, with low visibility, and appeared to inadvertently start landing halfway down the runway, Amazonas State Security Secretary Vinicius Almeida told a news conference.
The plane ran out of landing strip and crashed, killing all 12 passengers and two crew members, he said.
Initial investigations indicated the passengers were all Brazilian men travelling to the region for sport fishing, the state government said in a statement.
“I deeply regret the death of the 12 passengers and two crew members who were victims of the plane crash in Barcelos on Saturday,” said Mr Wilson Lima, governor of Amazonas state on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Our teams have been working from the outset to provide the necessary support. My sympathy and prayers go out to their families and friends.”
The Manaus Aerotaxi airline issued a statement confirming there had been an accident and that it was investigating, but offered no details about deaths or injuries.
“We count on respect for the privacy of those involved at this difficult time and will be available to provide all necessary information and updates as the investigation progresses,” it said.
The Brazilian Air Force said investigators from the Accident Investigation and Prevention Centre had been called in to begin an investigation into the crash of the small aircraft, a twin-engine turboprop manufactured by Brazilian aircraft-maker Embraer.
It was on its way from the state capital, Manaus, to Barcelos, which is about a 90-minute flight.
Officials said two aircraft approaching Barcelos around the same time had returned to Manaus because of the weather.
News site G1 said locals living near the airport were the first to arrive at the scene, helping emergency workers remove the victims’ bodies from the plane.
TV footage showed people gathered around the crash site, many standing under umbrellas in the rain as emergency workers sorted through the mangled fuselage.
Located on the Rio Negro, an Amazon tributary, Barcelos borders several national parks and other protected areas.
This is peak season for fishing in the region, a popular spot for catching tropical river species such as the tucunare, or peacock bass.
Covered mostly in dense rainforest, Amazonas is an adventure travel destination. It receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, according to Amazonastur, the state tourism company.
AFP, REUTERS
