In a devastating incident that unfolded amidst stormy weather in the Brazilian Amazon, a plane crash near the popular tourist town of Barcelos claimed the lives of all 14 people onboard, including 12 passengers and two crew members.
The tragic accident occurred as the small plane attempted to land in challenging weather conditions. Reports indicate that the pilot was navigating heavy rain and low visibility when, in a critical moment, the landing seemed to commence mid-runway inadvertently. Tragically, the aircraft ran out of landing strip and crashed, resulting in the loss of all lives aboard.
Initial investigations have revealed that the passengers were all Brazilian men who were en route to the region for a sport fishing expedition. The state government released a statement confirming these details, and Governor Wilson Lima expressed his condolences on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). He wrote, “Our teams have been on the ground responding since the moment of the crash to provide the necessary support. My solidarity and prayers to the victims’ family and friends.”
Media reports depict a heart-wrenching scene of the small white plane lying belly-down on a dirt track, its front end crumpled into the dense vegetation nearby. The aircraft in question was an EMB-110, a twin-engine turboprop manufactured by the renowned Brazilian aircraft-maker Embraer. The ill-fated flight was traveling from the state capital, Manaus, to Barcelos, a journey that typically takes approximately 90 minutes.
Officials disclosed that adverse weather conditions forced two other aircraft, also bound for Barcelos, to return to Manaus around the same time. In light of this tragedy, the Brazilian air force and police have initiated investigations to ascertain the cause of the crash.
Initial reports had suggested the presence of US nationals on the plane, but Amazonas officials have since clarified that preliminary investigations indicate all the victims were Brazilian.
Efforts to identify the victims are underway, and their bodies will be transported to the state capital on Sunday. The timing of their return was constrained by regulations prohibiting take-offs and landings during nighttime hours in the region.
Secretary Vinicius Almeida emphasized, “An air force aircraft will leave Manaus tomorrow around 5:00 am with investigators and emergency officials. The expectation is that tomorrow we’ll be able to bring the bodies to Manaus and immediately take them for forensics and then release them to the families.”
Located along the Rio Negro, a significant Amazon tributary, Barcelos is renowned for its exceptional sport fishing opportunities, attracting enthusiasts from around the world during this peak fishing season. The region offers the chance to catch tropical river species, including the prized “tucunare,” or peacock bass.
As Brazil mourns the loss of these 14 lives, questions surrounding the circumstances of the tragic plane crash persist, and investigations will aim to provide answers to grieving families and the concerned public.
Sources By Agencies
