4 survivors, 24 die after Brazil plane crash
Four people at the rear of a plane that crashed in a muddy Amazon river managed to open an emergency door and swim to safety as the aircraft sank, dragging 24 others to their death, officials said Sunday.
Most victims were members of a single family that had chartered the plane to travel to a birthday party. Seven children died.
"It was all very fast. The plane sank very fast," 21-year-old survivor Brenda Moraes told Brazil's GloboNews TV. "We only had a chance because we were sitting in the last rows and could open the emergency door."
Divers on Sunday recovered two dozen bodies from the twin turboprop plane that plunged into the Manacapuru river in a heavy rainstorm the day before, ending rescue operations after all passengers and crew were accounted for, said firefighter Maj. Jair Ruas Braga.
Aviation and fire officials said there were 28 people aboard the plane, a twin turboprop with a capacity of 21 people. Authorities said they are investigating the alleged overcrowding.
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