At least 15 dead in Brazil ferry accident

Sao Paulo: Rescue workers on Monday were trying to find dozens of missing people and recover a boat that capsized in the Solimoes River near Brazil.

The boat was carrying at least 80 people during a rainstorm when it sank on Sunday on a major river in the Amazon rain forest, rescue workers and Navy officials said.

Rescue workers had recovered the bodies of 15 people so far. Most of those who died were women, the government said.

It was unclear how many passengers the boat was authorized to carry, but authorities said the ferry had been grounded several months ago after failing an inspection.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is expected to take at least three months.