At least 7 dead, dozens missing as boat sinks in Brazil

By Nancy Caouette

MEXICO CITY – A passenger boat carrying 70 people sank overnight in a major river in the Amazon region of Brazil, leaving at least seven dead, authorities said Wednesday.

"On Wednesday morning, 25 people had been found alive,” said the northern state of Para’s public security office in a statement.

The bodies of five adults, one teen and an infant were also recovered. Dozens of people are still missing.

The boat left Santarem Monday night and was headed to Vitoria do Xingu in Para.

It sank off the coast of Porto do Moz, a city about 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Santarem.

Local police are investigating the cause of the sinking. The navy has sent a boat and a patrol vessel to assist local authorities in the search.

Boat travel in northern Brazil is a common mode of transport given the small number of major roads in the Amazon region.