Search for survivors as Brazilian EMB-110 crashes in Amazon

By David Kaminski-Morrow

Rescuers are searching for survivors after a Brazilian Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante with up to 24 on board crashed in the Amazon.

Manaus Aerotaxi, the operator of the twin-engined aircraft, has confirmed that four occupants have emerged alive from the accident near Manacapuru, some 75km west of Manaus.

Manacapuru is on the shore of the river which shares its name - a tributary of the Amazon - and there are reports that the aircraft came to rest in the water.

The aircraft, registered PT-SEA, had departed Coari yesterday and Manaus Aerotaxi says the crash occurred at 13:50 local time.

"Circumstances and the cause of the accident are being determined by the competent authorities," says the carrier. "Manaus Aerotaxi is providing all assistance to the rescued passengers and relatives of the victims."

It has not clarified how many were on board the aircraft. Initial reports indicated 20 occupants, including two crew members, but there are other suggestions that the number could be as high as 24.

Coari, where the flight originated, is 360km west-southwest of Manaus, its destination.

Weather conditions at the time of the accident are uncertain. Unconfirmed reports claim the aircraft had been attempting to land at a local airfield, about 500m from the crash site.