Passenger boat collides with riverbank on Rio Negro in Amazonas

The Expresso Dedé passenger boat collided with a riverbank in the Rio Negro near the municipality of Novo Airão, Amazonas, during the early hours of Friday. The incident occurred between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM while the vessel was traveling from Santa Isabel do Rio Negro to Manaus.

Passengers reported significant panic during the impact, with some fearing the boat would capsize. Videos shared on social media show the vessel tilted and stuck against the riverbank. Local residents and crews from other boats provided initial assistance to help passengers, including families with children, evacuate the vessel under improvised lighting.

While there are reports of passengers being injured by the impact, no official information regarding serious injuries has been confirmed. The Capitania dos Portos is expected to investigate the causes of the collision. The accident occurs during a period of severe drought in Amazonas, which has lowered river levels and made navigation more hazardous due to exposed sandbanks and narrower channels.