Bahia state government decrees three days of mourning following accident.

Sayonara Moreno, correspondent for Agência Brasil - The 2nd Naval District of Salvador, in Bahia, confirmed that at least 22 people died in the sinking of a speedboat this morning (24). 21 people have been rescued alive so far and the search continues at the site. The governor of the state of Bahia decreed three days of official mourning due to the tragedy. The speedboat was carrying more than 100 people and capsized during the crossing between Mar Grande, on Itaparica Island, and Salvador.

The victims are being taken to the Emergency Care Unit (UPA) in Mar Grande and to the Hospital do Subúrbio, in Salvador.

According to the Telecommunications Center of the Civil and Military Police (Centel), teams from the Military Police, the Maritime Group of the Fire Department, the Port Authority, and the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu) were dispatched to the scene to assist in the search for victims. Centel also reported that private vessels assisted in the initial rescue efforts.

In a statement, the mayor of Salvador, ACM Neto, and the governor of Bahia, Rui Costa, expressed their sorrow for what happened. "In this moment of profound grief, I offer my solidarity to the victims and their families and, at the same time, inform you that all municipal departments are involved in providing social and psychological support, as well as first aid to those affected," said ACM Neto.

Governor Rui Costa also expressed his solidarity with the victims and their families. "I have been personally monitoring this difficult operation since early this morning, and all necessary measures were taken immediately, with the reinforcement of our personnel in the areas of security and public health. God is with us in this difficult moment, and we trust in the commitment of the rescue teams," he declared.