A survivor of a passenger shipwreck in Manaus recounts the harrowing experience of keeping her young son alive in the water as the tragedy unfolded, highlighting the lack of life jackets.
The tragic shipwreck of the passenger vessel Lima de Abreu XV near the Encontro das Águas in Manaus saw a number of passengers, including children, in grave danger when the vessel capsized. Julia Moraes, a businesswoman and one of the survivors, shared her harrowing experience of holding her one-year-old son for approximately 30 minutes to keep him afloat amid the chaos and despair that ensued after the vessel's malfunction. The incident, which occurred on Friday, July 13, resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including a child, and left seven others missing at sea.
Julia described the moments leading up to the shipwreck, revealing that the boat began to hit rough waves soon after passing through a particularly treacherous area known to locals as 'gelão.' Onboard, several passengers raised concerns about the speed of the boat, prompting calls to the captain to slow down. However, Julia recounted that the captain responded to their pleas humorously, downplaying the critical situation they found themselves in. This disregard for the concerns expressed by the passengers contributed to the worsening conditions that led to the tragic incident.
As investigations into the shipwreck begin, questions surrounding safety protocols and the adequacy of life jackets on board have come under scrutiny. Julia's account underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures in passenger transportation in Brazil, particularly in regions where severe water hazards exist. With lives lost and others still unaccounted for, this incident raises crucial awareness regarding the importance of passenger safety on waterways, calling for immediate attention from authorities to prevent future tragedies.
