The fire service is searching for the driver of the ferry that capsized between Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. The accident occurred this Wednesday morning (18). The truck driver who was on the ferry and a crew member managed to escape alive.

The accident occurred this Wednesday (18) – Photo: Reproduction/LS Fotografias

According to the fire service, two vessels, four divers and eight firefighters are involved in the search on the Uruguay River. The missing driver is 47 years old and has not been seen since the accident.

In a statement, the Brazilian Navy said that the Santa Catarina Port Authority will begin an investigation into the navigational facts and incidents to verify the causes, circumstances and responsibilities, with a deadline for closing the administrative procedure of 90 days. See the full note:

The Brazilian Navy (MB) reports that on October 18, 2023, the ferry Marcelino Ramos V, traveling between the cities of Marcelino Ramos, in the state of Rio Grandedo Sul, and Alto Belo Vista, in the state of Santa Catarina, capsized. On board the ferry was a truck with a driver and two crew members.

To date, one of the crew members is missing. The MB regrets the incident and, through the Santa Catarina Port Authority (CPSC), is conducting search and rescue operations in the area, with teams being deployed from the cities of Chapeco-SC and Florianópolis-SC.

Search efforts are supported by specialized vessels and resources. The CPSC will initiate an Investigation of Navigation Facts and Accidents (IAFN) to review the causes, circumstances and liability, with an administrative completion time of 90 days.

Accident

The accident occurred around 7 a.m. while the ferry was transporting a truckload of bricks from Alto Bela Vista/SC to Marcelino Ramos/RS. The structure capsized shortly after leaving the shores of Santa Catarina and was dragged about three kilometers by the force of the water, according to South Carolina Civil Defense.

The company that operates the ferry said in a statement that it regrets the incident and is providing all necessary support to everyone involved. The company also said it was investigating the cause of the accident, which is still unknown. It is suspected that the ferry lost its balance due to the force of the water, which is higher than normal in the region due to rains over the past few days.