Boat tragedy: At least seven dead and dozens missing after ship carrying 70 sinks
SEVEN people have been confirmed dead after a boat carrying 70 people sank on a major river in northern Brazil last night - with dozens still missing.
The public security office in Para, northern Brazil, confirmed that 25 people made it to the shore and seven bodies have been recovered while the rest are still missing.
The boat left Santarem on Monday night and was heading to Vitoria do Xingu. The cause of the disaster was not immediately clear.
Police are investigating whether the vessel was carrying more passengers than it should.
Boat travel in Brazil is a common mode of transport given the small number of major roads in the north of the country.
More to follow...