Death toll rises to 13 in capsized ship

The death toll from a ship accident over the weekend in northern Brazil’s Amazon River climbed to 13, rescue teams said Monday.

The passenger and cargo ship sank on Saturday in the Amazonian state of Amapa after a storm with strong winds and rains knocked over the vessel, which was on a 36-hour trip from the state capital Macapa to Santarem, a town in neighboring Para State.

The vessel was 130 kilometers south of Macapa, in a hard-to-reach area, when it turned over, reports Xinhua.

According to the local fire department, the ship had no list of passengers, but between 60 and 70 people are believed to have been on board.

Teams have rescued 46 survivors and recovered 13 bodies so far.

Brazilian naval personnel and a naval helicopter were expected to join the rescue efforts on Monday, which already involve divers and two helicopters. (Xinhua)