Eight dead, two missing in Brazil lake boat tragedy

Eight people are confirmed dead while another two have gone missing after part of a cliff collapsed onto some tour boats in a lake in southeastern Brazil on Saturday, January 8.

The incident occurred at around 11:00 local time as a number of boats were sailing underneath a cliff in Lake Furnas in the state of Minas Gerais.

Video that has since circulated online shows onlookers yelling warnings to the people on the boats to manoeuvre out of the way as rocks from the cliff above them had just detached and were falling. However, some rocks landed directly onto three boats, causing one of them to sink shortly afterward.

Rescuers have since pulled eight deceased individuals out of the water and are continuing to comb the area for any trace of the two remaining victims.

Among the survivors were 32 people who suffered varying degrees of injury. This number also includes nine who were brought to hospital.

Local fire officials said the cliffs have become more susceptible to collapse following days of moderate to heavy rainfall in the area.