The body of the third victim of the Lima de Abreu XV boat sinking was buried this Tuesday (17) in Manaus. The Amazonas Military Fire Department continues to search for five people missing from the tragedy, which occurred on Friday (13) at Encontro das Águas, the confluence between the Negro and Solimões Rivers.
Located on Monday (16) three kilometers from the wreck, the body of gospel singer Fernando Grandêz, 39 years old, was recognized by relatives at the Manaus Legal Medical Institute. The vice-mayor of Nova Olinda do Norte (AM), Cristian Martins, confirmed the identity through social media.
With confirmation, the number of deaths in the accident rises to three. The other victims are a three-year-old child and a 22-year-old girl.
Task Force
The sinking occurred around 12:30 pm on Friday (13), when the speedboat left Manaus bound for Nova Olinda do Norte. In total, 71 passengers were rescued alive.
Initially, the Fire Department worked with seven missing people. After reviewing the information, the number was updated to five people who have not yet been located.
The search operation is considered complex due to the characteristics of the Meeting of the Waters, where the difference in temperature, density and strength of currents between the Rios Negro and Solimões makes diving and scanning work difficult.
According to the command of the Amazonas Military Fire Department, 88 people are taking part in the action, including 25 divers, with support from 15 vessels, drones, a helicopter and three sonars. Teams from Itacoatiara and Parintins were also mobilized, and the search has already exceeded 120 kilometers downstream.
The corporation’s general commander, Colonel Muniz, classified the incident as having a “high degree of complexity”, citing hydrodynamic factors and the high depth of the accident site as obstacles to locating the victims.
Investigation
The Amazonas Civil Police reported that the pilot of the vessel was arrested for manslaughter. He posted bail and will respond to the case in freedom. The case is investigated by the Specialized Homicide and Kidnapping Police Station.
Reports from survivors indicate that the driver was sailing at high speed, and that passengers had warned him about the banzeiro, turbulent waves common in the region, shortly before the sinking.
* with information from the Amazonas Military Fire Department and TV Encontro das Águas, from the National Public Communication Network
