Brazilian boat sinks in Lake Paranoa, at least 4 dead

[News_Editor]

Brazilian boat sinks in Lake Paranoa, at least 4 dead

2011-05-24 05:36:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRASILIA, BRAZIL (BNO NEWS) -- At least four people have been confirmed dead after an overcrowded boat carrying at least 100 people sank Sunday night in Brazil's Lake Paranoa, officials said Monday.

The accident occurred at around 9 p.m. local time on Sunday night when the private-owned boat called 'Imagination' was holding a party at artificial Lake Paranoa in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia. The boat reportedly took off from club Cota Mil at around 7 p.m. local time, and sank near the lake's JK bridge, between the club and the so-called 'Minister's Peninsula,' where several government ministers reside.

Rescue teams found the body of a 6-month-old baby on Sunday night before search operations were suspended at 2:30 a.m. local time as the 35 divers carrying out search efforts faced very cold and dark waters. On Monday morning, the body of a 22-year-old woman identified as Flavia Daniela Pereira Dornel was found, while a third and fourth victim, reportedly a male passenger and another child were later found.

After the accident, most of the passengers were able to swim ashore or stay afloat in the water until firefighters and rescue teams reached the area, rescuing 93 people alive and finding the boat around 17 meters under the water, according to Brazil's Navy.

In addition to the four confirmed deaths, between five and six people remain missing. The exact number of missing people and people on board is uncertain as no official list of the party's attendees exist.

The reason of the accident is also unclear as different version have emerged, but overcrowding has been ruled as the first cause, as the boat's official maximum capacity is of 92 people, including 2 crew members. While the boat's captain said a speedboat had hit the vessel, one of the passengers said a boat had passed close to the vessel, causing people to run from side to side, avoiding the ripples and causing the boat to tilt from side to side and eventually sink.

Reports also indicate that divers identified a possible crack in one of the boat's floaters, which could have caused the accident, but the boat's commander said it is difficult to assess whether it was there before or after the accident.

Meanwhile, boat-owner Marcos Jose de Almeida said 'Imagination,' which is normally used for parties, had correct documentation and maintenance, adding that 125 life jackets were available, although passengers did not have them on. The boat was last surveyed in November 2010, when it renewed its Certificate of Safety of Navigation.

Passengers, however, have argued there were only about 20 vests.

Federal District governor Agnelo Queiroz said Brazil's Navy is responsible for supervising the vessels in Lake Paranoa, as the Brasilia River Police is currently conducting further investigations and searching for missing people.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-24