A tragic plane crash in the Brazilian Amazon has claimed the lives of 14 individuals, leaving no survivors. The incident occurred on Saturday as the aircraft attempted to land in stormy weather conditions in the tourist town of Barcelos.
The small plane was approaching Barcelos amidst heavy rain and low visibility. It appeared to inadvertently initiate landing halfway down the runway, ultimately running out of landing strip and crashing. Among the victims were 12 passengers and two crew members, according to Vinicius Almeida, Amazonas state security secretary.
Initial investigations have suggested that all of the passengers were Brazilian men who were traveling to the region for sport fishing, as indicated by a statement from the state government.
Governor Wilson Lima expressed his condolences and solidarity with the victims' families and friends, stating, "Our teams have been on the ground responding since the moment of the crash to provide the necessary support."
Media reports and images from the crash site depict the small white plane lying belly-down on a dirt track, with its front end crumpled into dense vegetation at the side.
The aircraft involved in the crash was identified as an EMB-110, a twin-engine turboprop manufactured by Brazilian aircraft-maker Embraer. Its journey had commenced in the state capital, Manaus, with its destination being Barcelos, typically a 90-minute flight.
Officials noted that two other aircraft approaching Barcelos at the same time had chosen to return to Manaus due to adverse weather conditions.
While details surrounding the crash remain unclear, the Brazilian air force and police are set to conduct investigations. Initial reports had suggested the presence of US nationals on board, but Amazonas officials later clarified that preliminary investigations indicated all the victims were Brazilian.
The victims' bodies are expected to be transported to the state capital on the following day for identification, as nighttime take-offs and landings are not permitted in the region. An air force aircraft will be dispatched with investigators and emergency officials to facilitate the process.
Barcelos, located on the Rio Negro, a tributary of the Amazon River, borders several national parks and protected areas. The region is renowned for its fishing opportunities, particularly for tropical river species like the "tucunare," or peacock bass.
Amazonas, primarily covered by dense rainforest, attracts numerous visitors each year, particularly during peak fishing season, making it a popular adventure travel destination.
