Tragedy struck the Amazon jungle region of Ucayali, Peru, as a landslide yesterday submerged two boats docked at the Iparia river port, leaving at least 12 people dead, including three children, and dozens unaccounted for.
According to a police report cited by Andina news agency, one of the vessels carried around 50 passengers, while the second boat reportedly had no passengers at the time. Navy captain Jonathan Novoa told AFP that nine bodies have been recovered so far, with 25 people injured and as many as 40 still missing.
Rescue efforts have been ongoing, with authorities working closely with anxious families at the scene to locate those who remain unaccounted for. UTV Noticias aired heart-wrenching images of distraught relatives running along the riverbank, as luggage and merchandise from the sunken boats floated downstream.
The National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) reported on X that the landslide occurred at dawn, caused by erosion along the Ucayali riverbank. The Navy was deployed to assist in the recovery efforts.
Novoa emphasized that the rescue operation is particularly challenging due to fast-flowing waters, whirlpools, fog, and the ongoing flood season. “We are in the flood season, and at the time of the accident there was fog, which makes the tasks more complicated,” he explained.
This devastating incident highlights the urgent need for safety measures and awareness for river transport in the Amazon, as communities rally to support affected families and recover missing loved ones.
