A boat found this Saturday by fishermen in an isolated area in the far north of the Brazilian state of Pará contains at least 20 bodies already in advanced stages of decomposition.
This Sunday, vessels from the Bragança fire department, the Navy and the Federal Police tried to tow the ship to the port of Vila do Castelo, but encountered difficulties due to bad weather.
The number of at least 20 bodies is a preliminary estimate as it was given by the first fishermen to reach the vessel. However, this number was confirmed by the Federal State Ministry of Para (MPF-PA), which opened two investigations: one criminal and the other civil, but also on a temporary basis. There is a possibility that there are other victims inside the vessel.
The boat carrying the bodies was spotted in the isolated area of Baia de Mayau off Canelas Island, a remote area that connects to the Atlantic Ocean and is little visited by ships due to distance and strong sea currents.
The fishermen considered the vessel large and different from those that usually sail in the region, and decided to approach it.
The ship is due to arrive at the port of Vila do Castelo this Sunday so that specialists can carry out the first investigation and begin removing the bodies.
Experts, agents from the Federal Police of Braganza and the corporate headquarters in Brasilia, were sent to Vila do Castelo to reinforce local groups. Coroners and specialists specializing in rescuing victims of major disasters will also be on site.
Information about the origin of the ship and the two dozen people found dead is still unknown, especially since communication in the region is extremely difficult. Teams on the ground cannot transmit information to Bragança or Vila do Castelo.
A Navy source suggested that all the bodies recovered were foreign, given that there are no reports of disappearances at sea.
Author: Domingos Grilo Serrinha This correspondent in Brazil
Source: CM Jornal
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