RIO DE JANEIRO, June 8 (Xinhua) -- At least four people died and another 10 remain missing after two fishing boats sank on Friday in the bay of Sepetiba, south of Rio de Janeiro.
According to firefighters, the tragedy happened near the port of Itaguai when the two boats, carrying a total of 22 people, collided for as yet unknown reasons.
Eight people were immediately rescued and taken to a nearby hospital, with all of them being out of danger, said the statement by the local brigade.
One of the survivors, identified only as Marlon, said that the boats were fishing when they were hit by a strong wind.
"We had stopped to fish, we anchored the boat. Suddenly, a very strong gust of wind came. We shut ourselves in the cabin, but another strong gust came and the boat sank in 15 seconds," he was reported as saying.
One of the rescuer workers added that strong winds accompanied by hail lasted about seven minutes.
Firefighters from three squads in Rio de Janeiro are searching for those still missing, supported by a helicopter and two boats.
