Rescue workers search the capsized Comandante Sales boat in the Solimoes River near Manacapuru in Brazil’s Amazonas state Sunday. The boat capsized as it was ferrying at least 80 people home from a party during a rainstorm, killing at least 10 and leaving dozens missing, according to Brazil’s Navy and rescue officials. --AP

A Brazilian ferry sank early this morning in the Solimoes River in Amazonas state, killing at least 10 people, the O Globo online news service reported, citing the Brazilian Navy.

At least 80 people were aboard the Comandante Sales passenger ferry when it sank near the city of Manacapuru in northern Brazil at about 5 a.m. local time, O Globo said, citing the local fire brigade. Some passengers swam to dry land, but there is no accurate information on the number of passengers or survivors, O Globo said, citing the fire brigade.

Twelve divers and 20 firemen are searching the site, O Globo said. The fire brigade suspects the boat, chartered to take a group of people home after a party, may have been carrying more passengers than authorized, O Globo said.

The Almirante Monteiro ferry sank near Itacoatiara on February 21, also in Amazonas state, killing 16 of about 90 passengers when it collided with another craft, O Globo said, citing the fire brigade. (Bloomberg)

Customs convention deadline nears

THE Philippines will apparently miss the deadline for accession to the new international convention standardizing customs procedures, which includes a general annex of measures necessary for modern customs administration.

STATE firm Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said it posted higher revenues for the first two months of the year, but it had a lower net income for the period after higher cost of expenses from port maintenance has eroded its cash flow.

A Brazilian ferry sank early this morning in the Solimoes River in Amazonas state, killing at least 10 people, the O Globo online news service reported, citing the Brazilian Navy.

China’s first locally built liquefied natural-gas (LNG) tanker has completed its maiden voyage transporting the fuel from Australia to southern China’s Guangdong province.