Survivor of the shipwreck in Manaus says the boat was speeding and was hit by 'banzeiro': 'Desperate'
A survivor of a shipwreck in Manaus reported that the boat was at high speed and struck a wave, leading to the tragedy.
A survivor from the tragic shipwreck in Manaus, Lane Souza, shared her harrowing account of the incident, confirming that the passenger boat Lima de Abreu XV was traveling at an excessive speed just moments before it capsized. Souza described how the boat’s captain, Pedro Gama, attempted to overtake another vessel shortly after leaving the dock in Manaus, which contributed to its instability. The speed of the boat, combined with the rough waters near the Encontro das Águas, created a perilous situation for the passengers on board.
The Lima de Abreu XV was en route to Nova Olinda do Norte when the accident occurred, resulting in seven people still missing, with 71 others rescued by firefighters and local authorities. Investigations into the causes of the shipwreck are ongoing as the community grapples with the aftermath of the event. The high-speed maneuvering by the captain has raised significant concerns about safety practices within the local navigation industry, highlighting the risks associated with operating passenger vessels in challenging aquatic environments.
As the search for the missing individuals continues, the incident has drawn attention to the need for improved regulations and safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Lane Souza’s testimony serves as a crucial piece of evidence in understanding the events leading to the accident, echoing the fears and challenges faced by those who rely on river transportation in the Amazon region.